Millions of people in parts of Europe, eastern Africa, Asia and Australasia watched as the lunar surface was completely covered by the Earth’s shadow.
Meteorologists say the total eclipse lasted for 100 minutes, the longest in 11 years. The last one to exceed this duration occurred in 2000, and the next such eclipse will not take place until 2141.
The red moon shone clearly in Moscow’s evening sky, overlooking the Kremlin, while South Africans were able to enjoy the astronomical event thanks to the clear skies.
Egyptians also gathered in Tahrir Square, where the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak took place, to watch the eclipse.
The next total eclipse of the moon will take place on December 10, 2011 and will, cloud cover permitting, be will be visible in Australia, parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and the northwest of North America.
