UK Stargazers Witness Partial Lunar Eclipse with Stunning “Blood Moon”
On Friday morning, early-rising stargazers in the UK were treated to a lunar eclipse just before dawn. For most of the country, it was a partial lunar eclipse, with the Earth’s shadow covering only a portion of the Moon. However, some western regions of the UK, along with parts of the Americas and Pacific Islands, experienced a total lunar eclipse—the first since 2022.
As the Moon moved into the Earth’s shadow, a mesmerizing “blood moon” phenomenon occurred, gradually darkening before taking on a deep red hue. This stunning display was visible via a live stream provided by the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, starting at 05:09 GMT.
What Causes a Blood Moon?
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight and casting its shadow onto the Moon. The red appearance of the Moon during this event is due to Rayleigh scattering, a process where short blue wavelengths of light are scattered, leaving the longer red wavelengths visible.
Upcoming Lunar Eclipses
The next total lunar eclipse will occur in September and will be most visible in Central and East Asia, though parts of the UK will also experience it.
