Blood moon lunar eclipse 2026 live: Peak time as 'earth's shadow' set to be visible across UK

Blood moon lunar eclipse 2026 live: Peak time as 'earth's shadow' set to be visible across UK A partial lunar eclipse will see around 93% of the Moon move into Earth’s darkest shadow as the “blood moon” becomes visible across the UK. A “blood moon” lunar eclipse is set to be visible across the UK and Ireland in the early hours of Friday, with the Moon expected to turn a reddish or copper colour. The phenomenon happens when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Around 93% of the Moon will move into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, at the eclipse’s maximum at 5.12am. The penumbral phase begins at 2.23am, before the partial eclipse starts at 3.33am. Cloud could make viewing difficult in parts of the UK, with the Met Office saying southern and eastern England have the greatest chance of seeing the earlier stages before cloud becomes more extensive. The Moon will begin to set at around 6.15am in London, while no protective glasses are needed to watch the eclipse. The spectacle comes just over two weeks after the UK experienced a near-total solar eclipse Key Events The first stage of the eclipse is due to begin at 2.23am, when the Moon enters the lighter outer part of Earth’s shadow. The partial eclipse starts at 3.33am, before reaching its maximum at 5.12am, when around 93% of the Moon will be in Earth’s darkest shadow. The Moon will begin to set at around 6.15am in London, while the partial eclipse officially ends at 6.51am. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. During Friday’s deep partial eclipse, around 93% of the Moon will move into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. Sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere can give the Moon a reddish or copper colour, leading to the nickname “blood moon”. A deep partial “blood moon” lunar eclipse is set to be visible across the UK and Ireland in the early hours of Friday. The first stage begins at 2.23am, before the partial eclipse starts at 3.33am and reaches its maximum at 5.12am. At its peak, around 93% of the Moon will be inside the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, giving it a reddish or copper appearance.