Crowds flocked to catch a glimpse of the ‘blood moon’ total lunar eclipse in London on Sunday evening (7 September). A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Moon and the Sun, obscuring the Moon and turning it dark. The light that reaches the lunar surface is scattered by the Earth, making it appear red to people watching from the ground. Footage shows astronomers and enthusiasts gathering at Blackheath Common in southeast London to see the total lunar eclipse, also known as the “blood moon,” which was visible across parts of England and Wales on Sunday. It was the first time since 2022 that a lunar eclipse could be seen in the UK.

People in the Eastern Hemisphere may see Earth’s shadow pass over the lunar surface, covering our world’s natural satellite in a flush of red.

The satellite will turn deep red as the Earth passes between the sun and the moon at about 7.30pm on Sunday

Clear skies will make deep red moon visible to most of England and Wales on Sunday night