How to View Sunday's Total Lunar Eclipse

An example of a lunar eclipse. Credit: Rafael Ruiz / Royal Museums Greenwich [1]

In the UK we'll soon be seeing a lunar eclipse, in the evening of Sunday 7th September. Here's how to spot it.

The Moon will already be in total eclipse as soon as it rises at approximately 7:30pm in the UK. The total stage of the eclipse will last until 7:52pm – while the Moon is still low in the Eastern sky – so you'll need to find a location with a good view of the Eastern horizon to get the best view of the eclipse.

Because the Earth casts a reddish shadow, the Moon will appear dark red as it passes through Earth's shadow, which is why a Lunar eclipse is sometimes referred to as a "Blood Moon".

From 7:52pm until 8:56pm, the moon will be emerging from Earth's full shadow (known as Earth's Umbra), giving a partial eclipse. Then from 8:56pm until 9:55pm the moon will be clear of Earth's Umbra, but will still be partially shaded by Earth in a region known as the Penumbra. [2]

Below is a diagram illustrating the difference between the Umbra and Penumbra. [3]

The Earth's Umbra and Penumbra. Credit: Timeanddate.com [3]

Lunar eclipses are relatively common, but after Sunday's eclipse the next total lunar eclipse in the UK won't be until 31st December 2028. [4]

Good luck viewing the Lunar Eclipse!

References / Useful links:

1. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/lunar-eclipse-guide

2. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/uk?iso=20250907

3. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/penumbra-shadow.html

4. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/uk/london?iso=20281231