Friday’s lunar eclipse, resulting in a blood moon will be the 21st century’s longest, lasting almost two hours.
The eclipse – when the moon passes behind Earth and into its shadow – will be visable from around 9pm when the moon is above the horizon.
Why does the moon turn red?
During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the light from the sun and the surface of the moon instead takes on a red or orange glow.
This is due to an effect called Rayleigh Scattering.
It’s caused by the way rays of sunlight are sometimes bounced off course as they travel towards us. Short wavelengths such as violet and blue are scattered when they hit the atmosphere, while longer wavelengths like red and orange pass through and reach the Earth.
The red and orange light is then refracted or bent around the Earth and hits the moon on the other side, giving it this eerie colour.
The same phenomenon creates red sunrises and sunsets and also makes the sky blue.
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse we can see from the UK won’t be until January 19, 2019.
Share your pictures of the lunar eclipse with us on our Facebook page.
