Stay up late for the spectacular moon show

[davewilson]

A total eclipse of the moon will make primetime viewing for the whole of Britain tomorrow night.

And experts say it could be the most spectacular for years.

Britain and Europe are ideally placed to see the full moon slowly move completely into the dark shadow of the Earth.

The eclipse will turn its brilliant white light into a magical reddish-orange glow as the moon shines solely with sunlight that has been scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere and on to the lunar surface.

The appearance of the moon at this time varies according to how much dust is in our upper atmosphere.

Ian Morison, of Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire, said: “After the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 1991, which released large amounts of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the eclipsed Moon was nearly invisible.

"But as the Earth has not had a major eruption for some years, we can expect an impressive sight tomorrow.”

Robin Scagell, Vice President of the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: “This will be one of the best lunar eclipses for Britain for years.

“If the clouds stay away, it will be fascinating to watch the moon’s graceful movement through the shadow of the Earth and check its coppery glow.”

The moon will first enter a band called the penumbra just after 8.18pm but the dimming will be very slight.

The main eclipse begins just after 9.30pm when the moon starts to enter the dark central region of the Earth’s shadow.

By 10.45pm the moon will be covered and this total eclipse lasts until nearly 11.58pm.

It will then appear to glide free of the central shadow, leaving completely just after 1.11am on Sunday. It then drifts through the penumbra again, leaving just before 2.24am.

The Stig