Lunar eclipse: NASA video shows blood moon rise over UK and rest of the world
Skygazers looking for the blood moon lunar eclipse were left disappointed as clouds largely obscured the celestial phenomenon.
After weeks of uninterrupted sunshine and cloudless skies, thunderstorms swept across swathes of the UK on Friday, veiling what was said to be the longest celestial event in the 21st century.
Groups of hopefuls camped out on Primrose Hill were treated to dark skies with the only light coming from London's skyline.
The lunar eclipse, which was estimated to last around 103 minutes, saw the "total" phase end at around 10.13pm, with the moon passing through the Earth's darkest shadow and take on a red sheen.
But a blanket of grey spoiled any chance of a glimpse for people in Hampshire and Wiltshire in the south and south west, to Hull in east Yorkshire, Liverpool in the north west and Dublin in Ireland.
Social media users were quick to post sarcastic tweets about how great their view of the celestial event was, with many bemoaning the fact that skies had been clear for weeks only to cloud up on Friday.
For those lucky enough, and unlike a solar eclipse, the lunar event could be viewed without wearing protective eye gear.
Some Britons had better luck however, with the Grenadier Guards stationed in Iraq posting images showing troops gazing at a red-sheened moon hanging in a clear sky.
The next total lunar eclipse in the UK will take place on 19 January 2019.
Click here for the NASA live stream of the blood moon lunar eclipse.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
There are lots of bizarre myths around the lunar eclipse. (Many of them peddled by some newspapers.) But here's the truth in them.
Wondering when the eclipse will arrive with you? Don't worry – Nasa has you sorted with this detailed diagram.
Do you want to hear and see about the eclipse, rather than to read about it? Have a look at this video.
The weather is hot. For now! But will it still be hot when the blood moon arrives – or will thunderstorms ruin everything? You can find out here, on The Independent's weather live blog.
Here's something important to remember for tonight: the Met Office has upgraded the warning over tonight's thunderstorms to the level that suggests they could endanger life.
The blood moon will be nice, but it is not nice enough to put yourself in danger for. (The next one will arrive in January.)
The big question: why is the moon so red. And the big answer: light and locations.
It's moonrise, and the lunar eclipse has arrived in the UK. But don't rush out to see it: it'll be hanging around for a couple of hours, so don't worry. (Especially if the weather is particularly bad, right now.)
In fact, the best time isn't even coming yet, because the sun hasn't set enough to make the moon visible at its dim, red best. So you could wait about an hour or so if you want the best sight.
Skygazers around the world are sharing pictures of "the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century".
According to NASA the moon is fully eclipsed between 8.30pm and 10.13pm (7.30pm and 9.13pm UTC). The entire event will end after midnight (11.28pm UTC).
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