The moon has turned crimson in an occasion often called a blood moon following a lunar eclipse – which was partly seen within the UK simply earlier than daybreak on Friday.
Within the UK, the moon had already set beneath the horizon by the point of the total lunar eclipse at 6.58am, so solely a partial lunar eclipse was seen and half, fairly than all, of the moon appeared crimson.
However the full lunar eclipse was seen to folks in North and South America and spectacular photos had been printed from there.
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The lunar eclipse seen above Canary Wharf in London. Pic: PA
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The lunar eclipse seen above Surrey Quays in London. Pic: PA
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A complete lunar eclipse enters its peak stage Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photograph/Jenny Kane)
The moon turned darkish because it moved into Earth’s shadow and finally appeared crimson, therefore the “blood moon” nickname.
The solar, Earth, and moon are nearly, fairly than absolutely, aligned throughout a partial lunar eclipse, making a darkish part on the moon.
A blood moon is a phenomenon that solely occurs a handful of occasions a yr. The final complete lunar eclipse was in Could 2022 when the moon turned fully crimson.
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A full moon is seen throughout a “Blood Moon” lunar eclipse from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, March 13, 2025. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
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A full moon is seen behind the CN Tower in Toronto. Pic: Reuters
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The blood moon seen from Caracas. Pic: Reuters
Astronomer Jake Foster, on the Royal Observatory Greenwich, stated: “When the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, the only sunlight that can reach the moon must first pass through the Earth’s atmosphere.
“As daylight enters the environment, completely different wavelengths (and subsequently colors) of sunshine shall be scattered and bounced round by differing quantities. Blue gentle scatters an amazing deal, which is why our skies are blue.
“Red light is mostly unaffected by the gases of the atmosphere, so it travels all the way through them and out the other side where it can shine on the moon, making it appear red.”
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The moon is seen earlier than the lunar eclipse from Mexico Metropolis. Pic: Reuters
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The lunar eclipse seen above Studying, Berkshire. Pic: PA
From these watching from the UK, the moon was anticipated to begin to flip crimson at round 5.30am and the very best views would have been simply earlier than 6.30am, in response to astronomers.
No gear was wanted to have a look at it, Mr Foster stated.
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The whole lunar eclipse enters its peak stage, as seen from Portland, Oregon. Pic: AP
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The moon is seen previous to the whole lunar eclipse in Lisbon, Portugal. Pic: Reuters
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An individual is silhouetted in opposition to the rising full moon within the night sky in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
In accordance with the Royal Astronomical Society, some folks dwelling within the west of the UK could have been in a position to see a complete lunar eclipse with the bare eye, climate allowing.
Others in japanese and southeastern England are solely anticipated to have the ability to see a partial lunar eclipse. It is because the moon is not going to be fully throughout the Earth’s shadow by the point it units.
In accordance with the newest Met Workplace forecast, a lot of the UK would have been coated by cloud when the eclipse was most seen, aside from elements of the South East, East Anglia and central Scotland.
