Early-Risers in Penrith Could Catch a Partial Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon on Friday Morning

If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of sleep in the early hours of Friday (14 March) then you could catch a partial lunar eclipse from the UK, also known as a ‘blood moon’ because the Moon can turn a reddish hue.

Stargazers in Penrith and across the UK could witness the event on Friday morning (14 March) as a partial lunar eclipse takes place just before dawn. 

During the event, the Earth’s shadow will gradually cover part of the Moon, darkening it before turning it a striking red—an effect often referred to as a "blood moon." However, only far western areas of the UK, such as parts of Cornwall, Northern Ireland, and the Scottish Highlands, will have a chance to see the eclipse at its fullest. 

For observers in Penrith and most of the UK, the eclipse will be partial, as the Moon will set before the event reaches its peak. 

When to Watch

03:57 GMT – The penumbral phase begins (when the Moon enters Earth's outer shadow). 

05:09 GMT – The partial eclipse starts, as the darker part of Earth’s shadow moves across the Moon. 

06:15 GMT – The peak of the eclipse will occur at around 6.15am timings may vary for other parts of the UK because the Moon will unfortunately set below the horizon before the eclipse's actual maximum.

06:58 GMT – The eclipse reaches maximum, but by this time, the Moon will have set for most of the UK. 

The red tint seen during a lunar eclipse occurs because the Moon is illuminated by sunlight that has passed through the Earth's atmosphere and has been bent back towards the Moon by refraction.

The last total lunar eclipse visible in the UK occurred in 2022, and while this one won’t be fully visible from Penrith, it still promises to be a stunning sight if the skies remain clear.

Locally Beacon Edge and Inglewood Road could offer a good local viewing points although a weather front is expected overnight, but forecasters suggest there may be breaks in the cloud, offering a good chance to catch a glimpse of the event in the early hours of Friday morning.

For those who miss this eclipse, the next one visible in the UK will take place on 7 September 2025.