A space scientist has explained exactly where and when Brits can watch the moon turn blood red during a partial lunar eclipse later this week. Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock appeared on BBC Morning Live to explain how best to witness the natural phenomon.
The spectacular event is set to start in the early hours of Friday, March 14. The event will seen the Earth move in between the sun and the moon.
As light from the sun passes through the atmosphere, it will ‘bend’ onto the moon, meaning we will still be able to see it. Red light will be ‘scattered’ onto the moon, giving it a ‘creepy’ appearance, according to Dame Maggie.
She said: “It’s all about the movement of these celestial bodies. We are talking about the sun – which gives out light – we’re talking about the Earth, and we’re talking about the moon. Every so often, they get into alignment.
“What happens with a total lunar eclipse is that the Earth will get in between the sun and the moon, and that usually means that light from the sun will no longer reach the moon. So, at the start of the evening, you will have a beautiful, bright full moon but what will happen is the shadow of the Earth will be projected onto the moon, and so the moon will slowly disappear.
“You would think that would mean we would not be able to see the moon at all, but what will actually happen is light from the sun passes through the atmosphere of the Earth and some of that light is bent onto the moon’s surface, so we can still see the moon.
“But as that happens, the blue light from the sun is scattered out, and the red light is transmitted to the moon, so the moon goes blood red and it is a really creepy thing to see.
“You have this pink hue at the start, but then the moon will go totally blood red, and I can imagine in ancient times that, it must have really freaked people out.”
Where, when, and how to see it
Dame Maggie said the show will start ‘very early’ on Friday morning. The penumbral eclipse is expected to start at 3.57am, when the shadow will start moving across the surface of the moon. The partial eclipse should start at 5.09am, with the moon setting at 6.22am. It is likely to be more visible in western skies. Unfortunately, we will not be able to see totality, which is when the moon is completely covered by the Earth’s shadow, because of the moon setting.
People hoping to see it are advised to wrap up warm and try and find a clear patch of sky with as little light pollution as possible. Binoculars could help you see it more clearly. You do not need any specialist equipment though.
“At first, when the shadow starts moving across the moon, it looks like someone has taken a nibble out of it, like a big cookie. The moon will then go an eerie pink colour,” Dame Maggie said.