How you can see the 'worm moon' in Hertfordshire
Dr William Alston, a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre of Astrophysics, explains how you can catch a glimpse
A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in the UK on Friday, 14 March, as the moon moves into the Earth's shadow. The event will take place in the early hours of the morning, with the eclipse beginning at 03:57 GMT. However, the moon will set before the eclipse reaches totality.
Dr William Alston, a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre of Astrophysics, explained: “A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lies between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to fall within the Earth's shadow.
“A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only part of the moon enters the Earth’s shadow, whereas a total lunar eclipse happens when the entire moon is obscured.”
The Earth's shadow consists of two parts: the penumbra, which is a lighter outer shadow, and the umbra, which is the darkest, central part. Dr Alston said that while this event is a total lunar eclipse globally, observers in the UK will only see a partial eclipse as the moon will set before it reaches full coverage.
“More than 95% of the moon will be covered before it sets, making it an event worth watching,” he added.
The penumbral eclipse will start at 03:57, followed by the partial eclipse at 05:09. The total eclipse will begin at 06:26, but in London, the moon will set at 06:22, meaning totality will not be visible in the UK.
Dr Alston said the moon would appear red during the eclipse, a phenomenon often referred to as a 'blood moon'.
“The red colour is caused by sunlight scattering through the Earth’s atmosphere,” he explained. “It’s the same process that makes the sky appear red at sunset, known as Rayleigh scattering.”
He added that the best viewing locations would be areas with a clear view of the western horizon, as buildings or trees could obstruct the setting moon.
Eclipses often occur in pairs, and a partial solar eclipse is expected on Saturday, 29 March, at around 09:20 in the UK.
Dr Alston also noted that the March full moon is traditionally called the ‘Worm Moon’ as it coincides with the arrival of warmer weather, when earthworms begin to emerge, signalling the change of seasons.