Moon

Today's the day ......................... to catch the moon

Something very special is going to happen to the moon tonight - and if you miss it, you'll have to wait another 10 years before it happens again.

For those living in Britain, the moon will start to darken at 2.35am as a full total lunar eclipse begins. It will be free of the Earth’s shadow by 7.49am.  A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes exactly between the Sun and the Moon creating a shadow which stops solar rays reaching the lunar surface.  Sometimes the eclipsed Moon is a deep red colour, almost disappearing from view, and sometimes it can be quite bright.  At these times it is known as a 'Blood Moon'.

The eclipse will occur when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth - making it a supermoon, so it will appear 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter.  The first full moon in January is also called a 'Wolf Moon'  So tonight you will have the chance to see a Super/Blood/Wolf Moon!

The totality in the UK is expected to last 1 hour, 1 minute and 58 seconds - with the peak of the eclipse at 05:12 GMT.  So if you want to see it, you'll have to get up early ………………………….