The Moon Will Turn Red, Pink, and Purple Over the UK – Here’s When and How
The eyes in the UK are in for a treat as the Moon transforms into a vibrant spectacle of red, pink, and even purple hues through a partial eclipse. This celestial event, set to occur soon, offers an incredible opportunity for skywatchers to witness a unique display of light and shadow.
During the eclipse, the Moon will almost entirely be swathed in Earth’s shadow, causing it to retreat from the Sun’s direct rays. Edward Bloomer, senior astronomy manager at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explains that this event typically begins with a subtle darkening of the lunar surface, eventually giving way to a range of orange, brown, and red hues as the Moon moves fully into Earth’s umbra.
Credit: Getty
How Will the Partial Lunar Eclipse Unfold?
When the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun, it appears as a brilliant white orb in the sky. However, as it enters Earth’s shadow, a remarkable transformation occurs. Bloomer further elaborates, “This eclipse has stages. Initially, you’ll notice a shadow gradually covering the Moon, darkening large portions of its surface. As the Moon plunges deeper into the umbra, the surface assumes an orangey-brownish-red hue.”
Photographers can capture a spectrum of colors, including pinks and purples, when taking photos and adjusting the color settings. These hues are the result of the Sun’s light passing through Earth’s atmosphere and being refracted, casting a subtle rainbow effect on the Moon’s surface.
Local Viewing Details
The partially eclipsed Moon can be viewed from the UK on March 14th. Meanwhile, residents of the US, Canada, and South America will experience a total lunar eclipse, culminating in a Blood Moon—a phenomenon that lasts for about an hour. In contrast, UK observers will have a shorter window to witness the spectacular sight, as the Moon will set before reaching maximum eclipse.
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Credit: Getty
The next total lunar eclipse visible from the UK is scheduled for September 7th. Bloomer notes, “This will be your last chance to see a notable total lunar eclipse until the end of 2028.” Furthermore, a total lunar eclipse is set to occur in 2026, but the optimal viewing location is heavily oceanic.
Geographical Considerations
The UK’s geography poses a challenge for observing long-lasting eclipse events. Bloomer explains, “The UK’s elongated North-South shape means that eclipses often pass by in record time, with the Moon setting before reaching its peak visibility.” Conversely, the US, owing to its wider East-West span, offers a longer viewing duration, benefiting more observers.
Understanding the Blood Moon Phenomenon
To appreciate the lunar eclipse fully, it’s beneficial to understand the mechanics behind it. The lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in a straight line, placing Earth directly between the Sun and the Moon. As Earth’s umbra (the darkest part of its shadow) blocks the Sun’s direct light from reaching the Moon, an eerie red hue is cast due to the refraction of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere. This refraction can bring out other hues, such as pink and purple, when photographed.
What is a Blood Moon? Understanding Lunar Eclipses
Here’s your primer on lunar eclipses:
Sun, Earth, and Moon align in a straight line. The Moon enters Earth’s shadow.
Only light filtered by Earth’s atmosphere reaches the Moon, causing it to appear red.
Lunar eclipses last a few hours, visible from Earth’s night side.
- Total lunar eclipse: Moon turns deep red, receiving refracted sunlight.
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: Moon only enters Earth’s outer shadow, partially darkened.
- Partial lunar eclipse: Part of Moon enters Earth’s full shadow, visibly darkened.
Exact Timings for UK Observers
For skywatchers in the UK, precise timing is essential. The Moon will enter Earth’s penumbra at 3:57 AM GMT. The peak of the eclipse in London will occur at 6:1