How to see the Blood Moon lunar eclipse
- Published
A lunar eclipse, also known as a 'Blood Moon', is taking place on 7 September and should be partly visible from the UK.
A lunar eclipse is when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, meaning the Moon is in the Earth's shadow.
When it is a total eclipse the Moon can take on a red/orange colour which is why it is sometimes called a Blood Moon.
This is the second lunar eclipse of 2025.
Read on to find out more about what a Blood Moon is and when best to look out for it.
- Published16 July 2019
- Published14 March
What is a Blood Moon lunar eclipse?
A Blood Moon or total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon are lined up.
That means the Earth moves directly in between the Sun and Moon, blocking the sunlight.
The Moon then enters the shadow created behind the Earth, creating an eclipse.
As the light of the Sun passes through the Earth's atmosphere, the sunlight scatters.
Blue light is removed leaving only red longer wavelengths to reach the Moon giving it a reddish colour.
Unlike a solar eclipse people do not need protective glasses to see a lunar eclipse.
How to see the Blood Moon lunar eclipsse?
People in the UK will need to find a clear view to the East to see the total lunar eclipse
People based in Asia and parts of Australia will get to see the eclipse from start to finish.
Skygazers in Europe and Africa may still see it all as well.
Royal Museums Greenwich advises that in the UK the Moon is due to rise above the horizon just in time for people to see the total lunar eclipse.
It says the "maximum will occur at 7.33pm BST from the UK, with the eclipse's actual maximum at 7.11pm when the Moon is below the horizon."
The Moon will then gradually move out of Earth's shadow until 9.55pm.
The advice is to find a high point with a clear view to the east, as the Moon will be low on the horizon and quite difficult to see.