It sounds like the plot of a cheesy action film – a red, blood-coloured moon rises as an emergency alert pings on millions of phones.

But there’s no need to panic. Today – the same day that the government is conducting a nationwide test of its warning system – people in the UK will be able to see a Blood Moon.

Thankfully, it won’t be warning us about vampires – a Blood Moon is when the full moon turns a coppery reddish colour, due to a total lunar eclipse.

This is a fairly uncommon occurrence, and hasn’t happened in the UK in over three years.

And if you miss it tonight, you won’t get another chance until December 31, 2028 – and then its colour might be blocked by NYE fireworks.

What is a Blood Moon?

A Blood Moon, also called a lunar eclipse, is caused by an alignment of the sun, Ear

See Full Page