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'Blood moon' eclipse on Friday - but views to be limited

Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter
PA Media The Moon, surrounded by black space. PA Media
The Moon, seen from the UK, during an eclipse in 2019

A total lunar eclipse will be visible on Friday morning as the full moon passes into Earth's shadow.

However, sky watchers in Northern Ireland will need to be up early to catch it - and even then, the full "Blood Moon" will remain just out of reach.

The eclipse begins when the first bite is taken out of the Moon's left edge at 05:07 GMT.

Over the next 76 minutes, the shadow will gradually grow until totality begins at 06:26 GMT.

Leah Burgess An edited image using stills of the lunar eclipse in 2019, put together into one image to show the different stages. There are 6 pictures of the moon at varying stages against the black of the night's sky. Leah Burgess
The stages of a lunar eclipse pictured in County Wexford in 2019, and patched together

But there's a catch - as the Moon enters total eclipse, it will be setting in the west while the Sun rises in the east.

This will wash out the deep red hue typically seen during a total lunar eclipse.

"The first hour or so, when the first chunk is taken out of the moon, will be the best part," according to David Moore, from Astronomy Ireland.

"After that, the sky starts to get brighter as the eclipse gets bigger," he said.

"By the time the moon is totally eclipsed, it will be practically daylight, so we won't see the blood moon that they will get in America.

"So, the total bit is spoiled from Ireland, but that doesn't mean it is not worth getting up early in the morning for."

Those further west will have the best chance to see more of the event, as the Moon will be slightly higher above the horizon, and the Sun's influence will be less strong.

Peter Lennon An image of a blood moon, pictured against the black of the nights sky, with a few stars visible. Peter Lennon
A Blood Moon pictured over in Ballyclare in 2015

East to west timings

Those around Strangford Lough in County Down will see the Moon set earliest at 06:46 GMT, just 20 minutes after totality begins.

Counties Mayo and Kerry, on the west coast, will have the longest viewing opportunity, with the Moon setting at 07:05 GMT - giving an extra 19 minutes to see the eclipse.

This will be the eclipse's timeline:

  • 03:57 GMT – Faint penumbral stage begins (hard to detect)
  • 05:09 GMT – Partial eclipse starts; left edge of the Moon begins to darken
  • 06:26 GMT – Totality begins; Moon will appear reddish but will be very low in the west
  • 06:41–07:05 GMT – Moon sets, depending on location

What causes a 'Blood Moon'?

Paul Moane The image of a Blood Moon, which is red in colour against the black of the night's sky. Paul Moane
A blood moon was pictured in County Down in 2015

"Blood moon" describes the way the Moon looks during a total lunar eclipse.

This happens when the Moon is completely covered by Earth's shadow, because the Earth has moved between the Moon and the Sun - blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Moon.

When this happens the Moon looks a red colour - hence the name "blood moon".

Viewing conditions

A weather graphic showing visibility in the early hours of Friday morning

The eclipse will be easily visible to the naked eye, but viewing equipment will give you a better view.

The current forecast is for cloudy conditions, but, according to Astronomy Ireland, it is worth checking the sky every five to 10 minutes for some clearance.

The next total lunar eclipse for Ireland will occur on New Year's Eve in 2028.

Later this month, budding astronomers will have a second astronomical treat during a partial solar eclipse on 29 March.

Up to 57% of the sun will be covered by the moon during the event, which runs from 09:59 GMT until noon.

The maximum eclipse will occur around 10:59 GMT, with times varying by up to five minutes across the island.