Stargazers across Scotland and the wider UK have been treated to a rare celestial double feature this summer, as a dramatic meteor lit up the skies in August and anticipation builds for a spectacular blood moon lunar eclipse next month. Both events have sparked excitement among amateur astronomers and casual sky-watchers alike, offering a reminder of the wonders that unfold high above our heads—often when we least expect them.
On the evening of August 16, 2025, residents from Bathgate in West Lothian to the Highlands were startled by a brilliant meteor burning through the atmosphere. Olivia Nicol managed to capture the moment on camera in Bathgate, her striking images showing the sky glowing yellow as the meteor streaked earthward, leaving a luminous trail in its wake. The photos, shared with the Daily Record by her father Scott Mills, quickly made the rounds on social media, prompting a flurry of reports from across the region.
This wasn’t the first time in recent weeks that Scots had witnessed such a spectacle. According to the BBC, a similar event occurred on July 3, when a bright meteor was seen blazing across the night sky, accompanied by an orange flash and a resounding bang. Witnesses from the Isle of Lewis, Stirling, Glasgow, and Argyll and Bute described the sky lighting up just before 1 a.m., painting a vivid picture of the drama that unfolded overhead.
Gillian-Isabella McLaughli, who was out walking her dog in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, told the BBC it was "the most thrilling sight" she had ever witnessed. Her account was echoed by many others across Scotland, each with their own version of awe and surprise. Andy McNeill, observing from Appin in Argyll and Bute, recounted, "There was a bright flash over the house which also caused the wi-fi to reset, and then maybe 20 to 30 seconds later an explosive bang. There was also contrail in the sky, striking broadly east to west."
Reports poured in from all corners. Rachel Sutherland in Inverness admitted, "I saw a bright flash but wasn't sure what it was." In Glen Lyon, Perthshire, an observer noted a flash at around 12:50 a.m., followed minutes later by a rumble echoing through the air. Gemma Henderson, watching from her living room in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, initially thought she had witnessed a lightning bolt. "I have the lightning tracker app on my phone, so checked that and found that there had been no lightning present. Then there was a loud noise, so thought the tracker must have been incorrect. It was extremely bright," she explained to the Daily Record.
For some, the experience was more unsettling than awe-inspiring. Merseyside lorry driver Ringolds Abolins, driving up to Glasgow on the M74, said, "It burned out in two to four seconds. It was so quick and was small green line behind. I thought in first moment it was a kind of rocket or missile." Meanwhile, Ray Whyte, working in Glen Nevis in the Highlands, described being startled awake in his static caravan: "Me and dog jumped out our skin with the bang. I missed the light as the curtains were drawn, but the whole static shook like it had been used as a drum or a vehicle had hit the side. Left us both pretty scared and confused." Even William Sinclair of Kilwinning in Ayrshire was roused by two large bangs, initially fearing a break-in.
Meteors, commonly known as shooting stars, are fragments of space debris that ignite as they enter Earth’s atmosphere, creating the streaks of light and occasional sonic booms that have captivated—and sometimes alarmed—humans for millennia. The August meteor, with its yellow glow and fleeting green trail, was over in a flash, but it left a lasting impression on those lucky enough to witness it.
But the night sky’s offerings are far from over. As September approaches, UK stargazers are preparing for another cosmic event: a total lunar eclipse, often called a blood moon, set to occur on September 7. According to Royal Museums Greenwich and NASA, this will be the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, making it a must-see for astronomy enthusiasts. The event is being billed as the "Corn Moon eclipse," since it coincides with the September full moon, traditionally known as the Corn Moon.
Although the eclipse will be most spectacular in Asia, western Australia, and eastern Africa, those in the UK and western Europe will still have a chance to catch a glimpse as the Moon rises. The maximum eclipse will technically occur at 7:11 p.m. BST, when the Moon is still below the UK horizon. However, by 7:33 p.m., the Moon will have risen above the horizon, allowing observers to see the latter stages of totality. The eclipse will conclude at 9:55 p.m., as the Moon gradually moves out of Earth's shadow.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon takes on a deep, reddish hue—a phenomenon that has inspired myths and stories throughout history. NASA explains, "The Moon moves into the inner part of Earth’s shadow, or the umbra. Some of the sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere reaches the Moon’s surface, lighting it dimly. Colours with shorter wavelengths—the blues and violets—scatter more easily than colours with longer wavelengths, like red and orange. Because these longer wavelengths make it through Earth’s atmosphere, and the shorter wavelengths have scattered away, the Moon appears orangish or reddish."
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to view with the naked eye—no special glasses required. NASA recommends seeking out dark skies away from city lights for the best view, and heading to higher ground if possible. "Getting farther away from population centres is key. There are some other factors that can enhance your stargazing. Being at higher altitude helps, because you'll be above the dense air at low altitudes that contains hazes, fog, and smoke that mask your view of the stars," the agency advises.
Lunar eclipses aren’t as rare as some might think. They occur between two to five times a year, with total eclipses happening at least twice every three years. Still, a blood moon visible from the UK, especially one of this duration, is a treat that doesn’t come around often. The best views of the September 7 event will be in Asia, western Australia, and the very eastern parts of Africa, as well as Antarctica and parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. But even a partial glimpse from Britain is sure to delight those who make the effort to look up.
For those keen to continue their astronomical adventures, more eclipses are on the horizon: a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, visible in East Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and the Americas, and a partial eclipse on August 28, 2026, visible from the East Pacific, Americas, Europe, and Africa.
This summer’s meteor and the coming blood moon serve as powerful reminders that the night sky is full of surprises—some fleeting, some long-anticipated, but all capable of inspiring wonder and curiosity in those who pause to watch.
