This Sunday the Moon Will Turn Bloody, Here’s Exactly Where to Be to See the total lunar eclipse!

If you want to catch one of nature’s easiest-to-watch celestial spectacles, this Sunday evening is your moment. The Moon will pass through Earth’s darkest shadow (the umbra) and, from UK locations, will rise already in total eclipse — peaking for British observers in the early evening and remaining visible as it moves out of eclipse until about 9:55pm BST. To maximise your chance of seeing it, aim to be in place by 7:15–7:30pm BST with a clear view to the east.

Why the Moon goes red

The colour comes from sunlight filtered through Earth’s atmosphere. Shorter blue wavelengths are scattered away while longer red and orange wavelengths are bent into the shadow and fall on the lunar surface — the same effect that makes sunsets glow. The exact hue depends on dust and cloud in Earth’s atmosphere: more particles = deeper red. You don’t need any eye protection to watch a lunar eclipse.

Where and when it’s best visible?

Across much of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia the event will be visible either in full or in part; in the UK we catch the latter stages as the Moon rises. The Royal Observatory and Met Office both flag the eastern horizon as the key—so find an elevated spot with an uninterrupted view to the east and southeast for the clearest sightline. The Met Office warns some regions may be cloudy, with the clearest skies most likely in parts of the southwest and eastern England — check the latest forecast before you head out.

How to see it

• Pick a high, open spot. Hills, riverbanks or rooftop parks are ideal — the Moon will be low at first.

• Bring binoculars or a small telescope. The eclipse is spectacular to the naked eye, but optics reveal lunar surface detail and subtle colour shifts.

• Stabilise your camera or phone. Use a tripod, remote shutter or timer to avoid blur. A telephoto lens helps; if using a smartphone, try a clip-on zoom or steady mount.

• Dress for the evening. Evenings can be chilly; bring a blanket and hot drink if you’ll be out for a couple of hours.

• Arrive early. Moonrise and first sight of totality are the moments people most want to photograph — being in place avoids frustration.

If clouds block your view

All is not lost: many observatories and science centres will stream the eclipse live, and outlets like Space.com and TimeandDate will carry live updates and viewing maps if your local sky is overcast.

Why it’s special right now

Total lunar eclipses are relatively rare from any one location — the UK last saw a total eclipse in 2022 and won’t see another until August 2026 — so this is a good chance to tick the “blood moon” off your stargazing list. Even if you miss the first minutes, the slow, changing colours during totality last long enough to enjoy and photograph.