Lunar eclipse: NASA video shows blood moon rise over UK and rest of the world

Blood Moon 2018: the longest lunar eclipse of the century

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.

Key Points

• UK weather could obscure the blood moon
• Blood moon will not be the only glowing red sight to watch tonight as Mars joins celestial show
• Best places to see the blood moon in the UK

[27 July 2018 12:49 · Andrew Griffin]

There are lots of bizarre myths around the lunar eclipse. (Many of them peddled by some newspapers.) But here's the truth in them.

[27 July 2018 13:03 · Andrew Griffin]

Wondering when the eclipse will arrive with you? Don't worry – Nasa has you sorted with this detailed diagram.

[27 July 2018 13:41 · Andrew Griffin]

Do you want to hear and see about the eclipse, rather than to read about it? Have a look at this video.

[27 July 2018 13:43 · Andrew Griffin]

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.

[27 July 2018 14:42 · Andrew Griffin]

How will the blood moon affect your mood? (Spoiler: it probably won't, but this article is interesting all the same.)

[27 July 2018 15:50 · Andrew Griffin]

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.)

[27 July 2018 17:24 · Andrew Griffin]

The big question: why is the moon so red. And the big answer: light and locations.

You can read more here.

[27 July 2018 19:25 · Lucy Anna Gray]

You can follow a live stream of the lunar eclipse as it happens, here.

[27 July 2018 21:00 · Andrew Griffin]

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.

[27 July 2018 21:25 · Kristin Hugo]

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).