London: Skywatchers across the UK are preparing for a rare celestial spectacle later this week, when a partial lunar eclipse is expected to give the full Moon a reddish appearance.
The eclipse will occur in the early hours of Friday, August 28, as the Sun, Earth and Moon align in the night sky. The full Moon, traditionally known as the Sturgeon Moon, will pass through part of Earth’s shadow.
Moon could turn a striking red
The partial eclipse will begin at 3:33 am BST in London, when the Moon enters the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.
The eclipse is expected to reach its maximum at 5:12 am BST, when around 90% of the Moon will be within the umbra. This could create the striking reddish glow associated with lunar eclipses.
Unlike a total lunar eclipse, the Moon will not be completely covered by Earth’s darkest shadow. However, with most of its surface entering the umbra, the event could still offer an impressive sight for those with clear skies.
Moon illusion could add to the spectacle
The eclipse will take place while the Moon is very low in the south-western sky. This could make the event appear even more dramatic because of the Moon illusion, an optical effect that causes the Moon to appear larger when it is close to the horizon.
The celestial event comes only weeks after the UK witnessed its most dramatic partial solar eclipse in nearly three decades, giving skywatchers another opportunity to observe a rare astronomical phenomenon.
Those hoping to watch the eclipse will need a clear view towards the south-west and should check local weather conditions before heading outside.
For astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike, the combination of a deeply shadowed Moon, its low position and possible reddish colour could make the early morning spectacle particularly memorable.