Skywatchers across the UK could have the chance to see a stunning partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of 28 August. As the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up, the full Moon—nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon—may take on an eerie reddish glow. In London, the partial eclipse will begin at 03:33 BST when the Moon enters the Earth’s darkest shadow, reaching its maximum at 05:12 BST, when around 90% of the Moon will be within the umbra.
The Science of the Red Moon
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to temporarily move into the Earth’s shadow. During a partial eclipse, only part of the Moon enters the darkest section of that shadow, known as the umbra. The Moon is not completely cut off from sunlight, however. Sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere is scattered; shorter blue wavelengths scatter more easily, while more of the longer wavelength red light reaches the Moon. These wavelengths are reflected back toward Earth, giving the eclipsed Moon its reddish colour.
The Moon Illusion and Viewing Conditions
Adding to the spectacle, the Moon’s position in the sky will be low on the horizon, causing a phenomenon known as the Moon illusion. This term describes when the Moon appears much larger than it is based on its position in the sky, an effect caused by the way our brains process visual information. The effect is particularly noticeable when the lunar disc is seen alongside familiar objects on the ground. By the time of the maximum eclipse at 05:12 BST, the Moon will be very low in the south-western sky. In London, the Moon will set and move out of sight at approximately 06:15 BST.
Recommendations for Observers
Astronomers recommend finding a high location with an unobstructed view towards the south-western horizon for the best chance of seeing the event. Clear skies will be essential, though viewing conditions are expected to vary considerably across the UK. According to forecasts, Scotland may see showers, while clearer skies are expected for central and eastern areas of England and Wales. Because cloud cover can change significantly from one hour to the next, it is recommended to check the latest hour-by-hour forecast online or via the BBC Weather app. This event follows just weeks after the UK experienced its most dramatic partial solar eclipse in nearly 30 years.
