Rare 'blood-red' lunar eclipse to light up skies in March

Stargazers are in for a treat, as the first total lunar eclipse in over two years is set to take place this month. The rare phenomenon will be visible from the UK, US, and several other destinations worldwide, with 'no special equipment needed'. While such events are often confused with solar eclipses, a lunar eclipse regards the point at which a full Moon travels through Earth's 'umbra', or shadow.

Astronomy experts at Starwalk suggest at least part of this will be visible from Europe, but Americans will get the best view of the 'Blood Moon' that comes next. Despite its scary name, this describes the coppery red glow given to the Moon during a lunar eclipse. Specialists at the Natural History Museum explain: "The Moon turns red during an eclipse because of how the Sun's light interacts with Earth's atmosphere.

"As it hits the atmosphere, shorter wavelengths of light such as the colour blue are scattered outwards. Longer wavelengths like red, however, are bent or refracted into Earth's umbra. "When these strike the surface of the Moon, they can make it appear red - a similar process to how the sky appears red during a sunrise or sunset.

" Such an event is set to take place between March 13 and 14, though the exact timing will depend on your location in the world . For London, the 'maximum of the eclipse' will be at 6.19 am on March 14, according to the Royal Greenwich Observatory .

However, mobile astronomy apps like Sky Tonight show more location-specific details ahead of time. "During this eclipse, almost all of the Moon will be in Earth's umbra," experts at Greenwich explain. "The Moon will first move into Earth's penumbra at 3.

57 am GMT. The maximum of the eclipse in London will be at 6.19am, because during the eclipse's actual maximum at 6.

58, the Moon will have set below the horizon. "Getting to a high point with a clear western view will allow you to see more of this eclipse." The next total lunar eclipse event will take place on September 7, just after 7 pm in the UK.

Unfortunately, this will be trickier to view due to the Moon's position lower on the horizon. But Greenwich specialists suggest that finding a 'high point with a clear view to the East' should enable you to see something. Total lunar eclipses usually take place at least every two to three years.

Starwalk also adds: "During the total lunar eclipse in March 2025, the Moon will turn red — but not as dark as during some eclipses. That's because it won't pass through the deepest part of Earth's shadow (the centre of the inner circle in the image below). Instead, expect the Moon to take on a brighter red or coppery hue.

"This eclipse will also feature a Micromoon, meaning the Moon will be slightly farther from Earth and will appear slightly smaller than usual — though the difference is so subtle, you might not even notice it.".