Credit: Maxwell Palau from the VirtualAstro Flickr group
Lunar Eclipse July 2018
Lunar Eclipse July 2018 – July is proving to be a fantastic month for stargazers. This is due to all of the naked eye planets on view, warm star filled skies and a lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) at the end of the month.
This isn’t just any old lunar eclipse though, it’s going to be the longest in over a century!
Longest Lunar Eclipse of the Century
The Moon will be at apogee (furthest point away from us in it’s orbit) which means the eclipse will be longer than usual. In fact the longest lunar eclipse this century. This is due to the Moon being further away and taking longer to move through Earth’s shadow.
The eclipse will last for approximately 103 minutes in totality. This is when the Moon is at full eclipse, also known as Umbral eclipse or Blood Moon. This happens when the Moon is in Earth’s shadow – Umbra.
When and Where to Watch
The eclipse takes place on Friday July 27 2018. See table graphic and below for times.
Yes it is visible in the UK as many of my UK followers have asked.
Unfortunately the US and Canada aren’t going to see the eclipse/ Blood Moon this time. Europe, Asia and various other locations will see it. Check the chart to see when and where it’s visible.
Friday 27th July 2018
For the UK, the Full Blood Moon will be in partial eclipse as the Moon rises. See key times for the UK here:
| Phase | Time | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Lunar Eclipse begins | 19:24 | Not Visible from UK |
| Total Lunar Eclipse Begins | 20:30 | Not visible from UK |
| Moonrise | 20:49 | The Moon will be in Total Lunar eclipse at this time |
| Total Lunar Eclipse | 21:21 | Maximum Eclipse – Totality – Full Blood Moon |
| Total Eclipse Ends | 22:13 | The Moon will now go into partial eclipse |
| Partial Lunar Eclipse Ends | 23:19 | The Moon will appear to brighten. |
| Penumbral Eclipse Ends | 00:28 | End of the July 2018 Eclipse |
Times are approximate and may differ slightly for different locations. Table data: Timeanddate.com
Blood Moon
During the eclipse and at totality the Moon will appear red or dark orange. This depends on the amount of dust and pollutants in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is simply why some call a lunar eclipse a “Blood Moon”. July’s full Moon is also known as a “Hey Moon”, “Thunder Moon”, or “Buck Moon” in folklore.
What is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse is when the Moon is opposite the Earth from the Sun and passes through Earth’s shadow. The light passing through the Earth’s atmosphere can change the apparent colour of the Moon as seen from Earth to a dark orange or red. This results in what some call a blood Moon. The redness of the Blood Moon varies depending on the amount of dust and pollutants and isn’t known until the eclipse is in progress. Not one eclipse is the same as another which makes them quite exciting to watch.
During the Lunar Eclipse July 2018 we can expect a striking red or orange Blood Moon as the Moon passes directly through the Earth’s shadow.
As well as the Lunar Eclipse on July 27th, the Space Station will pass over the UK shortly after totality. You can see times for it here
lunar eclipse was clearly observed in Kenya from 21.45 and it lasted more than hour and half
From what direction will the moonrise?
South East almost exactly
Is it safe to look at the full blood moon with the naked eye at 21:21?
Absolutely! The only object in the sky you should always avoid looking at, is the Sun. Looking at the Moon is fine.
The eclipse was supposed to last 1 hour and 43 minutes.
Your figures, 21.21 to 22.13 are less than an hour.
Yes you are correct. I hadn’t updated the table correctly. I have now. Many thanks for pointing that out.