Skywatchers across the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa will be treated to a striking partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday, August 28, when the moon turns a dramatic coppery red as it passes through Earth's shadow.
Early risers in the UK, Europe and Africa will have the chance to witness a striking partial lunar eclipse before dawn on Friday, August 28. The event begins at 3:33am BST, when the moon's full disc starts to disappear behind the Earth's shadow. By the peak of the eclipse shortly after 5:10am, only a thin sliver of the moon will remain in direct sunlight, while the rest glows a muted coppery red — the result of sunlight bending through the Earth's atmosphere and filtering onto the lunar surface.
Because the moon will be sinking toward the western horizon as the eclipse progresses, observers are advised to find a location with an unobstructed view toward the west. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye, and binoculars will reveal subtle variations in colour across the moon's surface.
Observers across the Americas will be able to view the eclipse from late night on Thursday, August 27, through to its conclusion. Those in New Zealand will catch only the final moments of the event.
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