Deep partial lunar eclipse to bring reddish hue to UK skies on August 28

A deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible across the United Kingdom in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, with the Moon expected to take on a striking reddish hue as it passes through Earth's shadow. The celestial event will be observable throughout the British Isles, though clear skies and an unobstructed view toward the southwestern horizon will be essential for the best experience.

The eclipse begins at 2:23am BST when the Moon enters the penumbra, the lighter outer part of Earth's shadow. This initial phase causes a subtle darkening that can be difficult to notice. The more dramatic partial phase starts at 3:33am as the Moon moves into the umbra, the darkest part of the shadow. Maximum eclipse occurs at 5:12am, when approximately 93% of the Moon's visible surface will be immersed in the umbra, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. This makes it a deep partial eclipse, falling just short of totality.

During the event, the shadowed portion of the Moon may appear red, orange, or copper-colored. This phenomenon occurs because sunlight filters through Earth's atmosphere, which scatters shorter blue wavelengths while allowing longer red wavelengths to pass...