UK Pre-Dawn 'Copper Moon' Lunar Eclipse To Turn 94% of Surface Dark on 28 August

A deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible across the UK before dawn on Friday, 28 August. Almost all of the Moon will enter Earth's darkest shadow during the event. The partial phase begins at 3.33am BST and peaks at 5.12am, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

The eclipse will be visible across the British Isles. However, the Moon will sit low in the south-western sky, so a clear horizon will be essential.

When the UK Lunar Eclipse Begins

The eclipse starts at 2.23am BST, when the Moon enters Earth's penumbra. This lighter outer shadow produces a subtle darkening that can be difficult to notice.

The clearer partial eclipse begins at 3.33am, as the Moon moves into the umbra, the darkest part of Earth's shadow. Maximum eclipse occurs at 5.12am.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich says roughly 93% of the visible lunar surface will then be inside the umbra. Timeanddate gives maximum obscuration as 93.91%, which rounds to 94%, matching the headline description.

NASA lists an umbral magnitude of 0.9299 for the eclipse. This confirms that the event is a deep partial eclipse rather than a total one.

Why the Moon Can Look Copper-Coloured

The shadowed Moon may appear red, orange or copper instead of black. The colour comes from sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface.

Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths more strongly. Redder light passes through more easily and can illuminate the Moon.

A narrow section of the lunar surface will remain outside the umbra at maximum. That brighter edge will distinguish the event from a total lunar eclipse.

During a total eclipse, the entire Moon enters Earth's darkest shadow. The 28 August eclipse will stop just short of that stage.

Best Time and Direction To Watch

Observers should look towards the south-west. A viewing point with a low and unobstructed horizon will give the best chance of seeing the eclipse.

The Moon will be close to the horizon during the later stages of the event, so an elevated location may also help. The partial phase continues until about 6.51am BST.

However, the Moon will set earlier from many UK locations. In London, moonset is expected at about 6.15am, so viewers there will miss the formal end of the partial phase.

No protective eclipse glasses are required for lunar eclipses, which are safe to watch with the naked eye. Binoculars or a telescope can provide a closer view and may make the boundary of Earth's shadow easier to see.

Weather Could Decide UK Visibility

Cloud cover remains the main uncertainty for UK viewers. The Met Office forecasts unsettled conditions during the period leading up to Friday.

Low pressure is expected to bring showers and possible thunderstorms to parts of the country. Conditions will vary by region, so local cloud cover could determine whether the eclipse is visible.

Viewers should check an updated forecast before travelling to a viewing location. Clear skies near the south-western horizon will be especially important around maximum eclipse.

The event comes just over two weeks after the 12 August solar eclipse, with both occurring during the same eclipse season. The 28 August lunar eclipse will also be visible from parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas.

For UK observers, the strongest viewing window begins at 3.33am and continues through the 5.12am maximum. For the latest weather forecast, check the Met Office website before heading out.