Will we see the lunar eclipse in the UK?

3 days ago 4

Red crescent moon above Stonehenge illuminating the night sky

Image caption,

Partial lunar eclipse from 2019 seen above Stonehenge

The night skies have already offered some amazing displays in 2025 to delight stargazers.

We've seen meteor showers, Northern Lights, two full Moons and more recently the incredible planetary parade.

The full Moon later this week is the last one of astronomical winter and a lunar eclipse will make it appear red, something known as a 'Blood Moon'.

The best views will be across the Americas where we'll see a total lunar eclipse, but in the UK it'll be a partial eclipse. At its peak from the UK just before moonset, almost all of the Moon will be in Earth's shadow, with over 90% of the Moon's surface in darkness.

How and when to see the lunar eclipse

Sequence of five full moon photos, showing the progress of the Super Blood Wolf Moon in 2019

Image caption,

Super Blood Wolf Moon from above Brighton Pavillion taken in 2019

The partial lunar eclipse in the UK will be visible - weather permitting - during the early hours of 14 March from 3:57 GMT before peaking at 6:19. The best chance of seeing it is by having a clear view of the western horizon.

Close up photo of the Moon on a clear night in early March

Image caption,

BBC Weather Watcher sue taken in Ryhill, Wakefield

Why could the Moon look red?

A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes through the outer region of the Earth's shadow called the penumbra.

The Moon will appear red in colour caused by the scattering of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere. This filters out the blue visible light but allows the longer wavelengths of red light through - this is the same phenomena that gives an orange sunset.

Will the skies be clear in the UK?

The fine weather of the weekend has been replaced by colder more unsettled weather and northerly winds this week.

But there is a chance of the skies being clear enough to view the partial eclipse early on Friday, especially in the south of the UK.

Check out the forecast where you live here or by downloading the BBC Weather app.

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