Blood Moon Partial Eclipse to Peak at 5:12Am With 90% Coverage

The event, known as a "blood Moon, will begin at 3:33am local time and reach its peak at 5:12am, when 90 percent of the Moon will be covered by Earth's shadow. The eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the full Moon and the Sun, blocking the light that hits the lunar surface. As the Earth's shadow falls across the Moon, the surface takes on a darker, redder appearance.

The "blood Moon effect happens because light reaching the Moon must travel around the Earth, and dust in the atmosphere absorbs higher-frequency blue light, giving the Moon a coppery color. This month's full Moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon. Because the eclipse is partial, it will not be a total event, but the light-scattering effect will still make the blood Moon particularly striking.

The Moon will be low on the horizon, which makes it appear bigger and more spectacular, though viewers may need a clear view to the southwest to see it before it sets. No special equipment is needed to observe the eclipse — simply looking up at the sky will suffice. The event comes just weeks after the UK saw its most spectacular solar eclipse in 30 years.