Lunar Eclipse 2020: How to watch July’s Buck Moon in the UK this weekend
A BUCK Moon has risen over the skies of the UK this weekend, with stargazers also treated to a partial penumbral eclipse.
This is a subtle eclipse caused by the Moon passing through part of Earth's shadow.
The Buck Moon is the phrase used to describe July's Full Moon.
The moon rose on July 4 and is continuing to beam into July 5.
A stargazing event that fitted in nicely with Independence Day celebrations in the US.
The eclipse is visible across most of North and South America.
Parts of Europe and Africa have also been treated to the celestial phenomenon.
To workout the best time to see the eclipse from your location you can head to the .
For example, Londoners had the best view of the eclipse at 04.41am this morning.
The best time for people in New York was reportedly 00:29am on July 5.
The Full Moon only catches a section of the Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
This will make a small chunk of the Moon look a bit darker than the rest.
According to Nasa, the Buck Moon nickname can be traced back to farmers in the US observing "new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads".
The different types of moons
Here are some of the most interesting moon phases and when to see them...
A Blue Moon refers to the occasion when a full Moon appears for the second time in the same month, this is very rare and the next Blue Moon should occur on Halloween in 2020.
The Harvest Moon appears around the time of the autumnal equinox when farmers tend to do their main crop harvesting.
A Supermoon appears when it is at its closest point to Earth and therefore at its brightest, the next one will appear in September.
A Blood Moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, the next one should happen in May 2020.
Each month of the year actually has its own special full moon phenomenon, they are as follows:
- January: Wolf Moon
- February: Snow Moon
- March: Worm Moon
- April: Pink Moon
- May: Flower Moon
- June: Strawberry Moon
- July: Buck Moon
- August: Sturgeon Moon
- September: Full Corn Moon
- October: Hunter's Moon
- November: Beaver Moon
- December: Cold Moon.
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Have you ever witnessed an eclipse? Let us know in the comments...
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