Rare blood moon stuns Dartmoor with dramatic display in the night sky

Sky-watchers across Dartmoor caught sight of a striking Blood Moon over the weekend, with photographers capturing the rare phenomenon above the moor’s tors and valleys.

A Blood Moon occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that gives the Moon a deep red or coppery colour.

Photographer Sam Hussey caught the moon over Dartmoor, and said: “What can I say about last night's lunar eclipse on the blood moon. Absolutely so beautiful seeing this stood on Saddle Tor on Dartmoor.”

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Those in eastern parts of the country enjoyed the longest view, but for western areas, including Dartmoor and much of Devon, the eclipse was only visible for a short time.

Even so, clear skies gave residents and visitors a chance to witness the natural spectacle above the national park’s rugged landscape.

Dartmoor resident Isobella-Skye Taylor also caught a glimpse of the moon (see below), commenting “Tonight’s moon (eclipse and a rainbow ring) has been one of my favourites.”

According to the Met Office, the Moon took on a reddish hue because it was illuminated by light that had passed through the Earth’s atmosphere and had been bent back towards the Moon by refraction, scattering blue light and allowing red wavelengths to reach the Moon.

The next partial lunar eclipse will not be until August 2026, according to The Royal Observatory Greenwich.