Rare ‘Blood Moon’ to Light Up the UK Sky – Precise Timing Revealed
The year 2025 has started on a dazzling note for astronomy enthusiasts, offering them spectacular views of the night sky. From the mesmerizing Northern Lights on New Year’s Day to visible solar flares, and a captivating ‘planet parade,’ the celestial world has been putting on a show for millions worldwide. As the month of March unfolds, it has big shoes to fill, but fear not as the coming weeks are packed with exciting celestial events awaiting stargazers.
According to NASA, as Venus lingers low in the western sky after sunset in early March before fading into the glare of sunset midway through the month, Jupiter and Mars will take the stage high overhead in the evening. Mars, in particular, will set a few hours past midnight, leaving the morning sky planet-less for the first time in a year.
Stargazers across the UK can gear up for a rare treat as a Blood Moon is set to grace the sky during a partial lunar eclipse on March 14. In the early hours of the morning, Earth’s shadow will sweep over the Moon, creating a mesmerizing total lunar eclipse in many parts of the world. A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from the UK and parts of Europe at 3:57 am on Friday, March 14, with the peak eclipse expected at 6:19 am.
The phenomenon of the Moon turning red during an eclipse is a result of how sunlight interacts with Earth’s atmosphere. As shorter wavelengths like blue scatter outward, longer ones like red are refracted into Earth’s shadow, casting a reddish hue on the Moon’s surface. On the same day, stargazers can also witness the full ‘Worm Moon’ at 6:55 am, named by Native Americans after the trails left by worms emerging in newly thawed ground as winter transitions to spring.
Another celestial event to mark in your calendar is a partial solar eclipse on March 29, visible from the UK as the Moon passes in front of the Sun. Beginning at 10:07 am when the Moon first touches the Sun’s disc, the eclipse will reach its peak coverage at 11:03 am, with 30-40% of the Sun obscured before concluding at noon.
Royal Museums Greenwich has issued a caution against looking directly at the Sun during any solar eclipse. These rare occurrences are due to the Moon’s orbit slightly tilting to miss aligning perfectly with the Earth and Sun except during an eclipse season, happening twice a year, allowing shadows to partially or fully obscure the Sun in specific regions.
March is shaping up to be an exceptional month for sky-watchers, with NASA highlighting the prominence of four planets—Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter—that will be visible across the night sky. The agency is offering detailed information to prepare observers for the anticipated planetary displays.
As the UK prepares for these celestial wonders, astronomy enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike can look forward to witnessing these rare and awe-inspiring events. Stay tuned for an enriching experience under the night sky, promising unforgettable views of our cosmic neighbours and the mysteries of the universe.
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In this rewritten article, the focus is on the upcoming celestial events in March, including the Blood Moon, Worm Moon, and partial solar eclipse. The UK audience is encouraged to look to the skies and witness these astronomical marvels.