Lunar eclipse on 28 August to reward early risers across UK and Europe

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Shadow of Earth likely to make moon glow red before dawn on 28 August

The early hours of Friday 28 August will reward very early risers in the UK, Europe and Africa with a fine lunar eclipse. Though not quite a total eclipse, it will transform the moon into a dramatic sight as dawn approaches.

The partial eclipse begins at 3.33am BST, when the moon’s familiar full disc begins to disappear behind the shadow of the Earth. By the time the eclipse reaches its greatest extent, shortly after 5.10am, only a thin sliver of the moon will remain in direct sunlight. The rest is likely to glow a muted coppery red as sunlight bent into the Earth’s shadow and filtered through its atmosphere reaches the lunar surface.

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