The moon has turned purple in an occasion often called a blood moon following a lunar eclipse – which was partly seen within the UK simply earlier than daybreak on Friday.
Within the UK, the moon had already set beneath the horizon by the point of the complete lunar eclipse at 6.58am, so solely a partial lunar eclipse was seen and half, quite than all, of the moon appeared purple.
However the full lunar eclipse was seen to individuals in North and South America and spectacular footage had been printed from there.
Folks view the complete moon as a bit strikes into shadow throughout a lunar eclipse at Stonehenge stone circle. Pic: Reuters
The lunar eclipse seen above Canary Wharf in London. Pic: PA
The lunar eclipse seen above Surrey Quays in London. Pic: PA
A complete lunar eclipse enters its peak stage Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photograph/Jenny Kane)
The moon turned darkish because it moved into Earth’s shadow and ultimately appeared purple, therefore the “blood moon” nickname.
The solar, Earth, and moon are virtually, quite than absolutely, aligned throughout a partial lunar eclipse, making a darkish part on the moon.
A blood moon is a phenomenon that solely occurs a handful of instances a yr. The final complete lunar eclipse was in Could 2022 when the moon turned fully purple.
The lunar eclipse from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Pic: Reuters
A full moon is seen behind the CN Tower in Toronto. Pic: Reuters
The blood moon seen from Caracas. Pic: Reuters
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Astronomer Jake Foster, on the Royal Observatory Greenwich, stated: “When the Earth comes between the solar and the moon, the one daylight that may attain the moon should first cross via the Earth’s ambiance.
“As daylight enters the ambiance, completely different wavelengths (and due to this fact colors) of sunshine will likely be scattered and bounced round by differing quantities. Blue gentle scatters an excellent deal, which is why our skies are blue.
“Pink gentle is generally unaffected by the gases of the ambiance, so it travels right through them and out the opposite facet the place it might probably shine on the moon, making it seem purple.”
The moon is seen earlier than the lunar eclipse from Mexico Metropolis. Pic: Reuters
The lunar eclipse seen above Studying, Berkshire. Pic: PA
From these watching from the UK, the moon was anticipated to begin to flip purple at round 5.30am and the very best views would have been simply earlier than 6.30am, in line with astronomers.
No gear was wanted to take a look at it, Mr Foster stated.
The overall lunar eclipse enters its peak stage, as seen from Portland, Oregon. Pic: AP
The moon is seen previous to the full lunar eclipse in Lisbon, Portugal. Pic: Reuters
An individual is silhouetted in opposition to the rising full moon within the night sky in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
In accordance with the Royal Astronomical Society, some individuals dwelling within the west of the UK could have been in a position to see a complete lunar eclipse with the bare eye, climate allowing.
Others in japanese and southeastern England are solely anticipated to have the ability to see a partial lunar eclipse. It’s because the moon won’t be fully throughout the Earth’s shadow by the point it units.
In accordance with the newest Met Workplace forecast, a lot of the UK would have been coated by cloud when the eclipse was most seen, other than elements of the South East, East Anglia and central Scotland.
