July will see the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century, lasting over an hour
So far, in 2018, we have witnessed many stunning astronomical events, including the Super Blue Blood Moon in January and a remarkable celestial alignment in June.
At the end of July, moon gazers are in for another treat as there will be a spectacular full 'blood moon' lunar eclipse – the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century.
The striking blood moon will be visible to viewers across Britain (weather permitting, of course). Here are the details…
What is a blood moon and when is it happening?
The full blood moon lunar eclipse will occur on 27th July 2018, so keep your eyes peeled that night and in the early hours of the 28th.
During the spectacle, Earth's natural satellite will turn red in colour as our planet blocks out light from the sun, which usually results in the shining moon we see in the night sky.
During the lunar eclipse, the full moon will only be illuminated by sunlight filtered and refracted by the Earth's atmosphere, causing the reddish tinge.
According to Space.com, the total phase of the blood moon eclipse will last for one hour and 43 minutes, though the whole celestial event will last almost four hours.
The last blood moon we saw in the UK was on 31st January 2018, which was also a supermoon.
Why is July’s blood moon lunar eclipse the longest of the century?
This is a result of the position of the moon as it passes through the Earth’s shadow. At the end of July, the moon will be at its furthest point from the Earth and will also be moving into the darkest region of Earth's shadow. It will therefore take longer to pass through the shadow so the eclipse will be visible for a longer duration.
Top tips for viewing the blood moon
1. Go to areas with least light pollution for the best viewing results, such as designated Dark Sky areas or places deep in the countryside. Here are some of the best spots.
2. Unlike with solar eclipses, you can view a lunar eclipse with the naked eye with no damage caused, so you won’t need any special apparatus.
3. In the UK, the moon will rise just before 9 pm, when the moon will already be in shadow. The best time to view will be at 9:20pm when the maximum eclipse will occur and the moon will come out of the Earth's shadow at around 11:20 pm.
If you don't believe in the superstition that the Earth will end after a blood moon, the lunar eclipse should be a very enjoyable event!
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