Astronomy expert Professor Don Pollacco, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, said: “Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. The shadow of the Earth produces an umbral and penumbral shadow depending on the location of the planet and the Sun. The penumbra is an outer part of the shadow where some light can reach, the umbra the inner part where no light can pass.

“A penumbral eclipse occurs as the Moon moves through the penumbral shadow of the Earth. In these cases, the darkening of the moon is usually quite difficult to spot, as some of the Moon is still being illuminated by the sun.

“There is a penumbral lunar eclipse on Monday 25 March, visible from parts of Antarctica, western half of Africa, western Europe, Atlantic Ocean, Americas, Pacific Ocean, Japan, and eastern half of Australia. 95.57% of the Moon will be immersed in Earth's penumbral shadow.

“The shadow will appear on the Moon, moving from left to right. If the sky is clear, people will be able to see this directly with their eyes, without need for eclipse glasses.”