Early-rising in the UK woke up to a spectacular on Friday morning. A partial solar eclipse took place just before dawn this morning, which means that the sun, Earth and moon were almost, rather than fully, aligned. This gave our satellite a red hue.
The moon started to turn a gorgeous red at around 5.30am and became most visible just before 6.30am. Those in Scotland who were awake early enough to see this were treated to an eclipse leading to a total obscuration from Castle Stalker in Argyl. Stargazers in North and South America were also treated to a full lunar eclipse.
A blood moon is a phenomenon that only happens a handful of times a year. The last total lunar eclipse was in May 2022 when the moon turned completely red. A happens when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow on the Moon’s surface.
Astronomer Jake Foster, at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: “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. 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.”
Take a look at the gorgeous blood moon in our picture gallery below – don’t forget to click on the next page for more!
Canary Wharf, London
This is what the lunar eclipse looked like above Canary Wharf in London on Friday.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth, sun, and moon are almost exactly in line and the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun.
(Image: PA)
Surrey Quays, London
The lunar eclipse was visible above Surrey Quays in London this morning as the full moon passed into Earth’s shadow.
(Image: PA)
Castle Stalker, Argyl
Those in Scotland up early enough were treated to an eclipse leading to a total obscuration from Castle Stalker in Argyl, Scotland.
Josh Dury’s says he shot captured a total obscuration from Scotland. His pictures were taken between 5:09am and 6:30am at Castle Stalker in Argyll.
He says: “Totality refers to the moment when the Moon is totally eclipsed by the Earth shadow. Fortunately clear skies here in Scotland allowed us a window of 15 minutes to observe the event, which was so lucky.”
(Image: Josh Dury)
Lunar eclipse in Reading
Stargazers in Reading, Berkshire, were treated to a beautiful lunar eclipse, last seen in 2022.
(Image: PA)
Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
People in the US were also able to spot the eclipse. A full Blood Moon rose over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)