The longest lunar eclipse of the century will produce the spooky sight as the Moon develops a reddish tinge.

Some have even predicted it is a sign of the end of the world. Here Nadine Linge explains what it’s all about.

What causes it?

A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting the Moon into shadow. It becomes a blood Moon when sunlight is fitered through Earth’s atmosphere and bounces off the Moon’s cratered surface.

Because blue and violet wavelengths are scattered more than red and orange, more of the red wavelengths reach the Moon, making it appear that shade.

That’s different to a solar eclipse, when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun, blocking the Sun’s light and turning it dark.

Astronomer Dr Gregory Brown, from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, explained: “At total eclipse, rather than turning black as you might expect, the Moon will turn a deep red as light from the Sun is bent onto it by the Earth’s atmosphere, just like the lenses of a pair of glasses bend light into a person’s eyes.”

This one is extra special – firstly because it will be the longest this century at a whopping one hour and 43 minutes.

Secondly, Mars will also appear to be extra bright as it passes the closest to Earth it will get in 15 years.

How rare is it?

Lunar eclipses are less common than solar ones but can be seen by more of the Earth.

This is rare due to how long it will last, at almost two hours.

There will be another in January, which will start at 2.36am in London on the 21st and last for one hour and two minutes.

But there will not be any as lengthy as tomorrow’s until August 2036.

Where can I see it?

It will be seen all over the world apart from North America and Greenland, while east Africa, the Middle East, India and China will get the best views.

But tomorrow’s predicted thunderstorms allowing, we should be able to see it in the UK.

The partial eclipse will begin at 8.30pm, and the total eclipse will be between 9.20pm and 10.13pm.

Views will be best out in the countryside away from light pollution. Check out for a tracker of the best action for your location.

If you think you will miss out, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich will live stream footage.

What does it mean?

According to the doomsday preachers, it will be the end of the world.

They have interpreted passages in the Bible (“The Sun will turn into darkness, and the Moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes”) as evidence.

But astronomers and other experts have debunked the theory.

And as there have been previous blood Moons, and the world is still here, it’s (probably) nothing to worry about.