B1 Intermediate · 278 words · 2 min read

Rare Partial Lunar Eclipse Set to Turn the Moon Red Over UK Skies

The Moon will enter the Earth's shadow in the early hours of Friday, although cloud and rain could block the view in many areas.

Skywatchers across the UK could see a partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday, but cloud may spoil the view for some. The Sun, Earth and Moon will line up, causing the full Moon - nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon - to glow an eerie red.

The event will start at around 02:23 BST, when the Moon moves into the penumbra, the faint outer part of the Earth's shadow. The dimming will be barely noticeable to most viewers. The main partial phase begins at 03:33, as the Moon starts to enter the darkest part of the shadow, known as the umbra, and the eclipse reaches its maximum at 05:12, when around 93% of the Moon will be inside that shadow.

The partial eclipse ends at 06:51, but this will not be visible in the UK because the Moon will have set. Moonset times vary: 06:00 in Lerwick, 06:15 in London and 06:42 in Enniskillen. As the Moon will be very low in the south-western sky, it may appear larger than usual because of the Moon illusion, an effect caused by the way our brains process visual information.

The Moon turns red because sunlight passing through the Earth's atmosphere is scattered. Shorter blue wavelengths scatter more easily, while more of the longer red wavelengths reach the Moon and are reflected back towards Earth.

Astronomers recommend finding a high location with an unobstructed view towards the south-western horizon. "Clear skies will, of course, be essential," the forecast said, and low pressure overhead brings the chance of cloud and showers. The best conditions are likely in eastern and south-eastern England, with possible clear spells in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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