Lunar eclipse witnessed by millions in UAE and worldwide – in pictures

UAE one of the best places in the world to observe rare ‘blood moon’

Skygazers in the UAE witnessed the longest lunar eclipse this century. Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

The moon is called a "blood moon" when it turns a deep red, <p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

The moon changes hues from bright white to blood dark red as the sun’s rays are reflected through the earth’s atmosphere<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

Conditions in the UAE said to make it one of the best places in the world to watch the event.<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

It is almost the longest lunar eclipse theoretically possible. <p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

It will be the longest eclipse between the years of 2001 and 2100.<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

North America missed out on Friday's lunar eclipse. <p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

The fullest eclipse was visible from Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East, much of Asia and Australia.<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

The next lunar eclipse is not due until 2131.<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

Mars, at its closest point to Earth since 2003, could also be seen as a bright red star.<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

Pawan Singh/ The National

Pawan Singh/ The National

The UAE was one of the best places to view the lunar eclipse. <p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

Skygazers came out to watch the celestial event.<p>Pawan Singh/ The National</p>

Pawan Singh/ The National

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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