When and Where to Catch the Eclipse
Grab your calendars and set an early morning alarm for a celestial event not to be missed. The UK will witness a partial lunar eclipse on the 14th of March, 2025. Early risers will have the opportunity to gaze up at the night sky from 3:57am GMT. The spectacle will reach its peak at 6:19am just before the moon sets at 6:22am in London. While this might mean some chilly morning weather, it's a small price to pay for a view of the universe's grandeur.
The Science Behind the 'Blood Moon'
If you're wondering why this event is often referred to as a 'blood moon', it all comes down to the magic of Rayleigh scattering. As the Earth's shadow creeps over the moon, sunlight is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere. This causes the shorter blue wavelengths to scatter and allows the more extended red wavelengths to reach our eyes, bathing the moon in a reddish glow that resembles the hues of a romantic sunset. The phenomenon creates a stunning visual known as a 'blood moon'.
While the UK will enjoy the partial eclipse, folks across North and South America will be treated to a total lunar eclipse due to differing moonset times. Don't worry if you miss this show, though. The universe is generous, and another will come our way in September 2025.
It's also worth noting that unlike solar eclipses, special eyewear is entirely unnecessary for watching a lunar eclipse. It's safe to enjoy with nothing but your eyes and perhaps a nice cup of tea to keep warm as the Worm Moon, named due to the start of earthworm activity, drifts across the sky.
The 2025 event is particularly significant as it's the first lunar eclipse visible in the UK since 2022. For astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike, moments like these remind us of the vast, beautiful complexities of the cosmos, visible right from our back garden.
