The UAE witnessed the longest lunar eclipse expected this century on Friday night.
The moon was to be eclipsed by the earth’s shadow for three hours and 55 minutes, starting on Friday night and then into the early hours of Saturday morning.
The moon was to be fully eclipsed for one hour, 42 minutes and 57 seconds. It is almost the longest lunar eclipse theoretically possible, and will be the longest eclipse between the years of 2001 and 2100. With a so-called “blood moon”, the moon changes hues from bright white to blood dark red as the sun’s rays are reflected through the earth’s atmosphere.
The next lunar eclipse of a similar length is not due until 2123.
With the conditions in the UAE said to make it one of the best places in the world to watch the event, many were due to stay up late – or get up to very early – to witness the event.
The eclipse will not be seen from North America or most of the Pacific.
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Read more:
UAE best place to see longest lunar eclipse of 21st century, say astronomers
Where and when to watch Friday's lunar eclipse in the UAE
Super blue blood moon in the UAE - in pictures
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