Friday ’ s solar eclipse across Europe could signal darker times and the ‘ day of judgement , ’ a pastor has warned . The timing of the eclipse , which comes a few weeks before a lunar eclipse , is apparently significant . Coinciding also with the spring equinox , the rare 'once in 100,000-year ' event could indicate that trouble is brewing in Europe , according to the pastor . On Friday morning , Europe will be treated to a partial solar eclipse ( 1999 eclipse shown ) . But a pastor has warned that it coincides with a so-called 'blood moon ' . This lunar eclipse , when the moon appears red , occurs a few weeks later . He said the chance alignment could be a sign of the end of times . The claim was made by pastor Mark Blitz for the Christian website Root Source in an interview with WorldNetDaily ( WND ) . The partial solar eclipse on Friday 20 March is itself fairly rare , as the last solar eclipse in Europe occurred back in 1999 . However , a few weeks later on 4 April , the third of four ‘ blood moon ’ lunar eclipses will take place , while it is also the first day of spring and the first day of the Jewish religious calendar . A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in the shadow of Earth , and appears red due to light refracting differently and hitting its surface . A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in the shadow of Earth . This is an area known as the umbra , where light from the Sun is blocked by our planet . The light refracts differently in the atmosphere and , as it hits the moon , it makes it appear red . This gives rise to its ‘ blood red ’ appearance during a total eclipse , when the entire moon is in shadow . If it skirts the shadow , known as a partial or penumbral eclipse , the effect is less dramatic . ‘ An event of this magnitude at the very beginning of the religious new year demands attention , ’ Mr Blitz told WND . ‘ As the Bible tells us , there will be signs in the heavens on the feast days , and this is a very significant sign on a critical day . ‘ It ’ s the same day that there was the grand-opening ceremony of the tabernacle of Moses , with fire from heaven lighting the altar . Historically , this is a day of judgment. ’ He also said it was ‘ likely a message from God to the entire world. ’ There will also be a partial solar eclipse on 13 September 2015 , followed by the last of the four blood moons - known as a tetrad - on 28 September . The previous two occurred on 15 April and 8 October 2014 . The so-called ‘ blood moon prophecy ’ is apparently a sign that the world is coming to an end . Mr Blitz said the last time there were four blood moons in a row , in 1967 , Israel captured Jerusalem . A few weeks after Friday 's eclipse , on 4 April , the third of four ‘ blood moon ’ lunar eclipses will take place , while it is also the first day of spring and the first day of the Jewish religious calendar . A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in the shadow of Earth . ‘ An event of this magnitude at the very beginning of the religious new year demands attention , ’ Mr Blitz told WND. ‘ As the Bible tells us , there will be signs in the heavens on the feast days , and this is a very significant sign on a critical day . ' Shown is an illustration of the sun , Earth and moon in line . Back in the world of science , the eclipse on Friday marks a fascinating opportunity for observers to see the amazing mathematical coincidence take place in the solar system . This chart shows what times the eclipse will occur in the UK on Friday 20 March . Experts have warned , however , that no one should attempt to look directly at the sun without specialised solar glasses . Others have also said that the two-hour event could pose problems for solar power stations across Europe . About three per cent of the total European energy consumption comes from solar power , and scientists have warned that the risk of blackouts is greater than ever . The effects of a momentary dip in output has not been studied before , leading to the suggestion there could be a 'cascade of electricity blackouts ' as power grids struggle to cope . Meanwhile , scientists will also be using the event to study one of the sun 's biggest mysteries . A team based in Svalbard , north of Norway , will be hoping to use the event to find out why the sun 's corona - its outer atmosphere - is hotter than its surface . The plasma of the sun is only visible during a total eclipse , so the scientists will use this unique opportunity to try and solve the puzzling phenomena . And in an amazing coincidence , the eclipse will occur over the North Pole on the same day the sun comes into view after six months of polar night - an event which happens only once every 500,000 years .
On Friday morning , Earth will be treated to a partial solar eclipse . But a pastor has warned that it coincides with a so-called 'blood moon ' This lunar eclipse , when the moon appears red , occurs a few weeks later . He said the chance alignment could be a sign of the end of times . Mark Blitz also said it was ‘ likely a message from God to the entire world ’