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A fortnight since the partial solar eclipse had London in a chokehold, tonight (well, very, very early tomorrow morning) the city will witness another majestic celestial event. Look up to the sky to see a partial lunar eclipse.
It’s no coincidence that the two events are happening in such quick succession. A lunar eclipse always happens roughly two weeks before or after a solar eclipse. It’s not quite as rare as the solar event, but nonetheless is a sight to behold.
When the eclipse reaches its maximum, the moon will appear deep coppery red, caused by sunlight passing through our planet’s atmosphere being scattered and reflected back towards the moon. That’s why the phenomenon is also often referred to as a ‘blood moon’. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to catch the lunar eclipse tonight.
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse is when the moon passes through the darkest part of Earth’s shadow (the umbra). It happens around the world two to four times per year but can only be seen from specific places once every year and a half. Total lunar eclipses happen every two-and-a-half years.
Tonight, we’ll see a partial lunar eclipse in which around 93 percent of the moon will be within the umbra.
RECOMMENDED: The best places in the world to see August’s lunar eclipse.
When is the August lunar eclipse?
The next partial lunar eclipse visible from the UK is tonight, but technically in the early hours of Friday August 28.
What will be the best time to see the lunar eclipse?
You’ll need to set your alarm for this one. The phenomenon will begin at 3.33am and reach its maximum at 5.12am.
Where to see the lunar eclipse in London
Most of the major London parks will be shut at the time of the lunar eclipse, so there’s no point heading to the likes of Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park.
However Hampstead Heath is open 24 hours, so you will be able to get a good spot on Parliament Hill. The moon will get lower and lower on the horizon as the eclipse happens, so you should find a high point that has a clear, uninterrupted view to the southwest.
How to watch the lunar eclipse in London
You’ll be glad to know that there’s no need for any special glasses this time. We can look directly at the lunar eclipse without doing any damage to our eyes. It’ll be worth sourcing some binoculars if you want a closer look at the moon’s surface.
What is the weather forecast?
The Met Office reckons it’ll be a bit cloudy – but not totally cloudy – in the early hours of Friday morning. Not the best moon-gazing weather, but the moon should be visible.
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