A Newport photographer captured the lunar eclipse seen over Britain during the early hours of Friday, August 28.

The eclipse began shortly after 2.20am, with its partial phase starting at about 3.33am. It reached its peak at 5.12am, when approximately 93 per cent of the Moon was inside the umbra, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. Only a small part of the lunar surface remained brightly lit.

J P Photography took the image from Newport after waiting in the rain for several hours. The photographer used a T-shirt to help protect the camera and managed to take one photograph when a small break appeared in the cloud. They said they were pleased with the result.

A clear view towards the western or south-western horizon was needed because the Moon was low in the sky before setting soon after the maximum phase. The event could be viewed safely without special equipment, although binoculars or a telescope offered a closer look.

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the lunar surface. The reddish colour sometimes visible during an eclipse is caused by sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon. Astronomers regarded the August event as one of the more notable lunar displays visible from Britain in 2026.