London, England- Early-rising stargazers across the United Kingdom were treated to a remarkable celestial event on Friday, as a partial lunar eclipse graced the skies just before dawn. While most of the UK only witnessed a partial eclipse, some western regions, as well as parts of the Americas and Pacific islands, experienced a total lunar eclipse – the first since May 2022, when the Moon turned a striking red hue.
The eclipse created a stunning “blood Moon” effect as the Earth’s shadow gradually blanketed the Moon, causing it to darken before adopting a dusky red appearance. The phenomenon, known as a lunar eclipse, occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon’s surface. This alignment results in the Moon passing through the outer region of Earth’s shadow, called the penumbra, during a total lunar eclipse.
Notable stargazers like Kathleen Maitland in West Sussex were in awe of the lunar spectacle. Maitland described the experience as the Sun rose behind the Moon, causing it to slowly darken and transform into a mesmerizing red color. Astronomy enthusiasts around the world were able to witness the beginning of the eclipse via a livestream provided by LA’s Griffith Observatory, starting at 05:09 GMT.
The red hue of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse is often referred to as a “blood Moon”, a result of a phenomenon known as “Rayleigh scattering”. This process, which also influences the color of the sky and sunsets, occurs when sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon. The scattering of shorter blue wavelengths leaves longer red wavelengths visible, giving the Moon its distinctive red appearance during the eclipse.
According to astronomer Jake Foster from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the next total lunar eclipse is set to take place at the beginning of September, although it will be most prominently visible over central and east Asia. Only certain parts of the UK will experience the full effect of the total eclipse. This rare celestial event provided a captivating and unforgettable experience for early-rising skywatchers, reminding us of the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos.