A total lunar eclipse over Glastonbury Tor (Image: Getty)
The UK will be treated to a ” on Friday (March 14), but what is it, what time will it arrive, and where are the best places to see it?
‘Blood moon’ is not an official astronomical term. The technical name for it is a partial lunar eclipse and it takes place when the Earth is situated between the Sun and the Moon. The reason the phenomenon has the colloquial name blood moon is because a coppery colour sometimes floods the moon during a partial lunar eclipse.
What time will it arrive?
If you want to catch the blood moon, you’ll need to get up early. The moon moves into the Earth’s penumbra – the lighter part of its shadow – at 3.57am. But, the good news is that at 6:19am it will reach its peak, and the best viewing time for Brits at 6.58am.
A blood moon over the New Forest (Image: Getty)
Where are the best spots to view the blood moon?
Mike Wilmot, travel expert on behalf of , has given his list of the locations in the UK that will offer the most spectacular vantage point to take the blood moon in.
According to Mr Wilmot, the top spots to watch the spectacle are:
- Northumberland National Park
- Exmoor National Park
- Brecon Beacons National Park
- South Downs National Park
- Eryri National Park
- North York Moors National Park
- Yorkshire Dales National Park
However, if getting to any of those rural locations is too difficult, fear not – there are easier ways of seeing the blood moon.
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A blood moon over the City of London (Image: Getty)
According to the Royal Greenwich Museum, getting anywhere with elevation is a good way to ensure you see the sight.
It said: “Getting to a high point with a clear western view will allow you to see more of this eclipse.”
For anyone keen to capture the lunar event, Edward Bloomer, senior astronomy manager at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told : “If you take photos and boost the colour, you can actually see a reddish sort of rainbow effect as the Moon moves into the umbra – you get pink and purple in there too.”