Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Supermoon live: What time to see ‘super flower blood moon’ lunar eclipse and all the latest photos

‘Hawaii has the best seat in the house followed by California and the Pacific Northwest,’ says Nasa

Joe Sommerlad,Graeme Massie
Wednesday 26 May 2021 15:58 EDT
Comments
Double lunar event: Super Blood Moon and lunar eclipse

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Night sky watchers across the world have been enjoying a “super flower blood moon”, a spectacular phenomenon caused by the May full moon coinciding with both the satellite being at its closest point to the Earth during its orbit - making it appear larger and brighter - and a lunar eclipse causing the moon to turn red as it drifts into our planet’s shadow.

The sight has made for extraordinary photographs from the Western United States to Sydney Harbour but, somewhat typically, amateur astronomers in the UK watching the skies from Stonehenge were left frustrated by heavy cloud cover obscuring their view.

While the supermoon is visible across the world, the partial eclipse will only be viewable in parts of the US, eastern Latin Americas and eastern regions of Russia and Asia, although it will be streamable in the UK this morning.

The lunar eclipse explained

You might find the following helpful on what we can expect to see (or rather, not see) from the eclipse this morning.

Here are those timings in GMT:

  • Penumbral eclipse begins 9.48am
  • Umbral eclipse begins 10.45am
  • Totality begins 12.11pm
  • Greatest eclipse 12.19pm
  • Totality ends 12.26pm
  • Umbral eclipse ends 1.52pm
  • Penumbral eclipse ends 2.50m

Also, here’s a second stream of the event courtesy of Lowell University in Flagstaff, Arizona, which might have better luck with the weather.

Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 10:20

Stream the lunar eclipse live

The partial eclipse of the moon is due to take place shortly and you can follow a livestream below from Griffith Observatory on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.

Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 09:40

‘Flower moon’ lights up Bristol

While cloud cover was also a frustration in the West Country last night, the unsual brightness of the moon lighting up the night sky is there for all to see in this shot.

The ‘flower moon’ sets over Bristol
The ‘flower moon’ sets over Bristol (Ben Birchall/PA)

Amateur astronomers were out in force in Bristol to capture the moment.

Meanwhile, this was the scene from the Trooper’s Hill nature reserve to the east of the city overlooking the River Avon.

Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 09:25

Cloud cover thwarts ‘flower moon' fans at Stonehenge

While the exquisitely-named “super flower blood moon” may have proven a spectacular sight across the United States, stargazers in the UK were not so lucky last night as cloud cover contrived to obscure the show in some areas.

People who travelled to Stonehenge in Wiltshire in the early hours of the morning could only see part of the larger-than-usual moon, with the rest bathed in cloud.

Stonehenge made for an incredibly atmospheric, even ghostly setting nonetheless.

The ‘flower moon’ sets over Stonehenge on 26 May 2021
The ‘flower moon’ sets over Stonehenge on 26 May 2021 (Finnbarr Webster/Getty)
Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 08:47

How to see the ‘Blood moon’ lunar eclipse

In a rare coincidence, Wednesday’s full moon will be brighter and larger than usual, as well as appear rusty red in colour across some parts of the world due to a total lunar eclipse.

Nasa says people living in western North America, eastern Asia and western South America will have the best view of the “Blood Moon”.

Vishwam Sankaran has more details of the best time to look out for the eclipse depending on where you are in the world:

How to see lunar eclipse across Asia and the Americas this week

People living in North America, eastern Asia and western South America will have best view, Nasa noted

Adam Withnall26 May 2021 06:25

Where will best place in Washington state to see lunar eclipse?

The National Weather Service in Seattle has told its Twitter followers where the best place for them to catch the Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse will be.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 05:00

How will weather impact lunar eclipse watching in Seattle?

Forecasters predict if Seattle residents will be able to see Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 04:08

Will Chicago residents be able to see blood moon total eclipse

How much of eclipse will people in the Windy City see on May 26?

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 03:03

Where to see total lunar eclipse in New Zealand

When and where to see blood moon eclipse in New Zealand.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 02:01

Supermoon rises over a mosque in the Gulf emirate of Dubai

(AFP via Getty Images)
Graeme Massie26 May 2021 01:03

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in