Lunar eclipse: Pictures and video as it happened

Skywatchers across the UK captured this morning's beautiful lunar eclipse in stunning detail in a series of pictures and video.

A timelapse clip recorded the moment the pre-dawn spectacle began shortly before 04:00 GMT on Friday 14 March 2025. It shows the Earth's shadow moving across the Moon, making it appear as though our lunar satellite has had a bite taken out of it.

For some people, particularly those in the west of the UK, a total lunar eclipse was visible with the naked eye, although others in the east and south east of England only got to enjoy a partial lunar eclipse.

The beginning of the lunar eclipse on Friday 14 March 2025.
The lunar eclipse begins on Friday 14 March 2025 in this image above Lewes in East Sussex.
Dr Robert Massey
The Earth's shadow moved across the Moon as the lunar eclipse continued.
The Earth's shadow moved across the Moon as the lunar eclipse continued.
Dr Robert Massey

It was the first time since May 2022 that the UK has been able to enjoy a total lunar eclipse, when the Moon turned completely red.

This morning's so-called 'blood Moon' also took on an "eerie" reddish hue as it reached totality in some parts of the country, as well as across the Americas. This happens because sunlight gets through the Earth's atmosphere and is bent back towards the lunar surface by refraction.

The Moon first moved into Earth's penumbra, which is the outer region of its shadow, at 03:57 GMT, before passing through the umbra – the darkest part of its shadow – shortly after 05:00 GMT. The eclipse reached its peak at 06:58 GMT, although for many people it had already set below the horizon at this time.

It appears as though the Moon has had a bite taken out of it in this image of the lunar eclipse above Lewes in East Sussex.
It appears as though the Moon has had a bite taken out of it in this image of the lunar eclipse above Lewes in East Sussex.
Dr Robert Massey

The lunar eclipse approaches totality.
The lunar eclipse approaches totality this morning (Friday 14 March 2025).
Dr Robert Massey

A lunar eclipse happens when Earth is between the Sun and the Moon and the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow. It differs from a solar eclipse, which takes place when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, causing our lunar satellite to cast a shadow on Earth.

Solar and lunar eclipses each take place between two and five times every year, with a total solar eclipse occurring every 18 months or so and a total lunar eclipse roughly once every two-and-a-half years, on average.

However, there isn't long to wait to see a solar eclipse, as a partial one will be visible from the UK between around 10:00 and 12:00 GMT on Saturday 29 March.

Did you get a good picture of the lunar eclipse? Why not share it with us via our social media accounts. You can find us on XFacebookInstagramLinkedIn, and YouTube.

Submitted by Sam Tonkin on