A2 Elementary · 204 words · 2 min read

Partial Lunar Eclipse Will Turn the Moon Red Over the UK

The Moon will move into the Earth's shadow in the early hours of Friday, but cloud may hide it in some areas.

Skywatchers in the UK could see a partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday, but cloud may spoil it for some people.

The Sun, the Earth and the Moon will be in a line, so the full Moon - called the Sturgeon Moon - will glow red. The Moon will move into the faint outer shadow of the Earth at about 02:23 BST. The main part of the eclipse will begin at 03:33, when the Moon starts to enter the darkest shadow, called the umbra.

The eclipse will reach its maximum at 05:12, when about 93% of the Moon will be in the darkest shadow. It ends at 06:51, but people in the UK will not see this because the Moon will be below the horizon. Moonset is at 06:00 in Lerwick, 06:15 in London and 06:42 in Enniskillen.

The Moon will be very low in the south-western sky, so it may look bigger than usual. Astronomers say people should find a high place with a clear view to the south-west.

Cloud and showers are possible because low pressure will be over the UK. The best conditions are likely in eastern and south-eastern England, and maybe in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Understood everything? Read this story at B1.