The first lunar eclipse of the year on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 is well placed for observers in the UK. The total phase occurs right around prime time and can be seen from everywhere in Europe. The eclipse will be even longer than usual as it occurs just half a day before perigee, when the Moon's orbit comes closest to the Earth's surface. Therefore the Earth's umbra - which is her core-shadow - is relatively the widest possible. What a start into the new Millennium!

The total phase will last 62 minutes. The eclipse begins 17:44 GMT when the Moon enters the penumbra. From now on parts of the Moon turn reddish and rusty. An hour later at 18:42 GMT, the partial eclipse begins with the first umbral contact and the stage of a total eclipse is reached around 19:50 GMT and will last until 20:52 GMT. The partial phase ends at 21:59 GMT and the Moon leaves Earth's shadows completely around 22:58 GMT.

The moon will never turn completely black; rather it becomes dark reddish and looks pretty rusty. This is because the Earth's atmosphere herself gleams diffused light towards the Moon's surface. During totality, the winter Milky Way , Jupiter, Saturn and the Pleiades and many other stars will be well placed for viewing. The timing is perfect. For example, in London the Moon will rise at 15:53 GMT as the sun sets already half an hour later. And the weather? Unfortunately low clouds and fog could obscure the skies everywhere in the UK and thick rain clouds in the southwest could take away any chance for observation. But there is still a good 30% chance for us to see it.