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Watch the skies! Lunar eclipse over Britain on anniversary of moon landings

The sun rises through the mist over a BBC Fuji Cargo Ship anchored just of the north east coast at Tynemouth. Picture date: Tuesday July 16, 2019. A partial lunar eclipse is set to be visible across parts of the UK on Tuesday, if clear weather and conditions hold up. See PA story WEATHER Sunrise. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)
A partial lunar eclipse is set to be visible across parts of the UK on Tuesday, if clear weather and conditions hold up (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)

It’s half a century since men first walked on the moon - and tonight, there will be a (much smaller) cosmic drama unfolding in the skies over Britain.

Weather permitting, of course.

A partial lunar eclipse will be visible over parts of Britain tonight, as the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon mission.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth, sun, and moon are almost exactly in line and the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun.

The moon is full, moves into the shadow of the Earth and dims dramatically but usually remains visible, lit by sunlight that passes through the Earth's atmosphere.

The eclipse can be seen in the UK from moon rise, which starts at approximately 9.07pm BST, until around 1.17am.

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According to the Royal Astronomical Society, mid-eclipse is expected to take place at 10.30pm, when about 60% of the visible surface of the moon will be covered by the umbra - which can sometimes appear red in colour to people observing from the ground due to a more powerful atmospheric scattering of blue light hitting the surface.

'You're looking for anywhere that has a low unobstructed horizon, no tall buildings and trees in the way,' said Dr Morgan Hollis from the Royal Astronomical Society.

'Unlike a solar eclipse it's entirely safe to watch a lunar eclipse with the naked eye, so this one is fine, you don't need any special equipment and it should be fairly warm as well, given temperatures recently, it should be good if the weather is clear and the conditions are clear.'

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