Skywatchers across the continent will be treated to the longest “blood moon” eclipse of the 21st Century on Friday night.


As it rises, during this total eclipse, the moon will turn a striking shade of red or ruddy brown.


The “totality” period, when light from the Moon is totally obscured, will last for one hour, 43 minutes from 20:21GMT.

The reddish glow – or “blood moon” effect – is caused by the fact that while other colours from the sun’s light are scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere the red wavelength bends around our planet to reach the moon.