Partial solar eclipse delights skygazers across East Midlands
Skygazers across the East Midlands have been out in force looking up at a partial solar eclipse on Saturday.Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire had some of the clearest skies - albeit with a few clouds - and many saw the phenomenon which reached its peak just after 11:00 GMT.People had the chance to see the Moon cover about 30% to 50% of the Sun at its peak, with the best chance of clear skies in south-east England, East Anglia and the Midlands.The eclipse was not total anywhere in the world, but north-eastern regions of Canada saw up to 92% of the Sun covered.
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Edinburgh Reporter
15 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Look up tonight! Lunar Standstill
The full moon in every month of the year has an American nickname. In November it's called the Beaver Moon, in March the Worm Moon, and in June we have the Strawberry Moon. Most of the time these nicknames are just nicknames, but this year the Strawberry Moon will really look quite strawberry-like! Edinburgh residents should look to the South at 23:16 tonight to see the full moon starting to slowly rise above the horizon. It will look surprisingly large, but don't worry as the moon hasn't changed its size. It's just an optical illusion thanks to our brains seeing the moon so close to buildings. Importantly for strawberry-lovers it will also look peachy-pink, for the same reason that the Sun looks peachy-pink at sunset. Over the next few hours, the moon will skim over the southern horizon, from just east of south, to just west of south, before setting again at 04:19 in the morning. You won't see the full moon's path this low in the sky again before 2043. This rare event is know as the 'lunar standstill'. There is some lovely celestial dynamics going on. The Moon orbits the Earth once every 27 days, but its path is tilted at an angle of 5° relative to the orbit that the Earth takes around the Sun. This 5° is why we don't see a total solar eclipse for every new moon. Our beautiful planet is also tilted as it circles the Sun, which gives us the different seasons. During the longest day of the year, the summer solstice on the 21st June, the Sun is at its highest in our skies. When we see a full moon it's directly opposite to the Sun, and so the full moon that falls closest to the summer solstice will appear at its lowest elevation in the sky. The rare lunar standstill happens around the solstice when the moon is also at its most extreme point in its 5° tilted orbit. This only happens every 18.6 years and the further north you are, the better the view. So Edinburgh, do look up tonight! PHOTOS Local photographer, Tom Duffin captured the moon last night over Edinburgh, Inchcolm Abbey on its island, and the Forth Bridges. Tonight is another great opportunity to get the moon close to the horizon, coloured up by us viewing it through more of Earth's atmosphere, and looking big next to buildings and objects. Tom said: 'I'd suggest finding something with an obvious shape on your horizon to have the moon slightly behind, or at least very close to. If you have a tripod and a long lens then don't forget that the moon is moving pretty fast through your frame so choose a higher ISO than you normally would choose, but reduce the brightness of your settings too or you'll overexpose the moon surface details. 'The moon will rise at 149 degrees on your compass – roughly South East. If you can find a lit building then try and get the moon close to that and your exposure will be easier. Have fun out there.' ALL photos © Tom Duffin Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Best places in Scotland to see tonight's extremely low Strawberry Moon
The Moon won't appear this low again until 2043- so where will you be able to see it? Tonight will see a rare astrological event known as the 'major lunar standstill' in which the Strawberry Moon - the name for June's Full Moon- will appear extremely low on the horizon. Although we see a Full Moon roughly every month, tonight's will be extra special- but particularly difficult to spot. While the Strawberry Moon is usually the lowest Full Moon of the year, it hasn't appeared so low in the sky since 2006, and won't be again until 2043. This is because of the major lunar standstill, which occurs once every 18.6 years. Across the moon's nearly 20-year-long cycle, it follows a tilted orbit around Earth. Major and minor lunar standstills occur when the Moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon, appearing unusually low or high in the sky. During the Strawberry Moon, Earth will be approaching its farthest distance from the Sun in its orbit. The Moon will also be as far from the Sun as it can possibly be in its orbit around Earth, in one of the furthest full moons from the Sun of the year. The Strawberry Moon will rise tonight, June 11 at 10.46pm BST, and it reached its full phase at 8.44am BST. But to catch this extremely low moon tonight, a clear horizon and a dark sky will be necessary to avoid obstructions. Here are some of the best places in Scotland to catch the Strawberry Moon this evening. Where can you see the low Strawberry Moon tonight? Beaches A beach is one of the best places to go for an unobstructed horizon, and Scotland is home to many. The best beach for stargazing, however, is Luskentyre Beach on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. This beach's lack of light pollution has led to it being named one of the best in the whole of the UK for observing the wonders of the night sky. For those on the mainland, almost any beach will be a great spot for catching the June Full Moon. Plains Perhaps harder to find in the rolling hills of Scotland, a grassy field or plain is another perfect choice of place for amateur stargazers to see the low-down Moon tonight. Large, flat areas of land are more commonly found in the lowlands of Scotland compared to the mountains of the Highlands. If you live nearby any farmland or wide open fields, you may be in proximity to a great viewing spot for the Strawberry Moon. Mountains or hills If you can't find any flat low land due to Scotland's vibrant landscape of rolling hills, you could consider climbing high enough that they won't obstruct the skyline. Scotland is home to countless hills, and some are particularly good for stargazing. For those in proximity to Glasgow, Ballageich Hill is just 25 minutes away by car, and Conic Hill is a short climb near Balmaha that's around an hour away from the city. However, if you're planning to climb a hill or mountain at night, it's vital to be well-equipped with good shoes, appropriate clothing, a torch (red-light torches are recommended to prevent disturbing wildlife) as well as a working phone in case of emergency. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Exact time Brits can see Strawberry Moon in skies over UK tonight
The full moon for June 2025, also known as the Strawberry Moon, is fast approaching and is set to be the lowest hanging full moon of the year, as well as one of the furthest from the Sun It's an exhilarating week for astronomy enthusiasts and those who appreciate the spectacle of a full moon illuminating the night sky. This month's full moon is upon us and will be visible across the UK tonight (June 11). This will be the sixth full moon of the year, following May's Flower Moon and April's Worm Moon. Emerging in mid-June, this full moon not only marks the end of spring but also hangs lower in the sky than any other throughout the year, and is one of the furthest from the Sun. In North America, the June full moon derives its name from the strawberry harvest that takes place during this month. Some Europeans refer to it as the Rose Moon, while other cultures have dubbed it the Hot Moon, signifying the onset of summer heat. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the Strawberry Moon occurred on 11 June 2025 at 8.44am. A full moon typically occurs every 29.5 days, which is the duration of one complete lunar phase cycle. Despite it being light at 8.44am on Wednesday morning, the moon will still visible after sunset in the evening. When the full moon arises at 10.19pm, it offers the closest view humans can get of the Sun fully illuminating the Moon's daytime side. A full moon usually remains visible for a couple of days before transitioning into its next phase, the waning gibbous stage, reports the Liverpool Echo. As the Moon begins its return journey towards the Sun, the opposite side of the Moon reflects the lunar light. Each monthly full moon carries a nickname that corresponds to natural events occurring during that particular month. However, don't anticipate the Strawberry Moon to resemble a strawberry - it's merely a moniker. The 2025 Strawberry Moon is situated in the Sagittarius constellation, which, for observers in the Northern Hemisphere, never fully rises above the horizon. By June 11, the Moon will have transitioned into this constellation. According to BBC's Sky at Night Magazine: "The fact the Strawberry Moon is located within these constellations tells you just how low it will be." Indeed, it is the lowest full Moon of the year, and successfully spotting it is a notable achievement. To increase the chances of seeing it, one needs an unobstructed, low southern horizon with no trees or buildings blocking the view. As the Strawberry Moon is positioned so close to the horizon, an optical illusion may occur, making it appear larger than expected. Furthermore, due to the Earth's atmosphere and the way it scatters light, the Moon might appear more "rusty red" or "orange" in hue. Following this week's full moon, six more can be anticipated. The next one, occurring on July 10, is known as the "Buck Moon", while the last full moon of the year, on December 4, is dubbed the "Cold Moon". Here is the full moon calendar for the remainder of 2025 July - Buck Moon August - Sturgeon Moon September - Harvest Moon October - Hunter's Moon November - Beaver Moon December - Cold Moon
