Photos: The longest lunar eclipse of the century captured around the world

Skywatchers from around the globe observed the longest total lunar eclipse of the century as the moon turned blood red on Friday night.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the Earth’s innermost shadow. When this happens, the moon turns rusty orange or deep red in color and is how it earned the nickname of a blood moon eclipse.

The total phase of the eclipse lasted for one hour and 43 minutes, while the entire eclipse, including the partial phases, lasted for over six hours.

One reason why this eclipse is lasted so long is because it occurred when the moon is near apogee, or the point in its orbit when it is farthest away from the Earth, making it appear smaller than normal.

While the eclipse was not visible in North America and those in South America only caught a glimpse of it at moonrise, residents will want to mark their calendars for the next total lunar eclipse, which falls on Jan. 21, 2019.

Unlike this week’s eclipse, the entirety of January’s blood moon eclipse will be visible across both continents. Some areas in Europe and Africa will also be able to view this eclipse, weather permitting.

There will also be a partial lunar eclipse on July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, the mission that sent the first humans to the moon.

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