A rare celestial event is set to dazzle the night sky, with the moon turning a stunning shade of red. This phenomenon, known as a “blood moon,” will occur tonight, March 13, as people across the globe get the chance to witness a total lunar eclipse.

This marks the first complete lunar eclipse since 2022, and it is a rare occurrence that happens when the Earth is directly positioned between the sun and the moon. This alignment results in the moon passing through Earth’s shadow, and due to the moon’s orbit, this event typically takes place roughly every two and a half years.

Professor Don Pollacco from the University of Warwick’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Group explained the science behind the event: “The moon, like all planets, doesn’t emit its own light but instead reflects sunlight. On the morning of March 14 [for viewers in the UK], as part of its monthly orbit, the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow. Normally, one might expect the moon to vanish completely, but instead, some sunlight still reaches the moon after passing through Earth’s atmosphere. This light is reflected off the lunar surface, making the moon visible to us.”

Pollacco continued by explaining the cause of the moon’s eerie red hue: “When sunlight travels through Earth’s atmosphere on its way to the moon, the longer, redder wavelengths of light pass through with minimal obstruction. In contrast, shorter, bluer wavelengths are scattered by particles and dust in the atmosphere. The red light then reaches the moon, and when it’s reflected back to us, it gives the moon its blood-red appearance. Interestingly, the degree of redness also offers insight into the condition of Earth’s atmosphere.”

For those wondering when and where they can view this rare event, here’s what you need to know: In the United States, the blood moon’s visibility will begin just before 12pm ET, and continue into the early morning hours of March 14, with the total eclipse beginning at approximately 1am ET. On the other side of the Atlantic, in the UK, the visibility differs somewhat. While the total eclipse will be most prominent for those on the western side of the country, it will be best observed just before morning twilight at around 4am, when the moon is low in the western sky.

According to Professor Pollacco, the best time to catch the eclipse in the UK will be after 5am, before the sky starts to brighten too much. For many parts of the UK, while the eclipse will not be a total one, it will still provide a striking spectacle. The full moon often appears larger when it is near the horizon, which will likely make this eclipse particularly impressive.

While the event will be visible in both the US and the UK, it’s worth noting that the blood moon will be much more prominent in the United States due to the timing of the event and its visibility in different regions.

So, if you’re eager to witness this captivating display in the sky, be sure to look up tonight, as the blood moon promises to be an unforgettable sight.