ImagecopyrightREUTERSThe Moon rises behind the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens

People in many countries have caught a glimpse of a blood moon for the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st Century .

In Greece, the moon rose behind the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens.
In a lunar eclipse, the Earth stands between its natural satellite and the Sun.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESA picture shows the full moon during a 'blood moon' eclipse beside a statue of ancient Greek god Ares in central Athens on July 27, 2018

Although no longer directly illuminated by the Sun, the moon still catches light filtered and bent by the Earth's atmosphere. This gives it an orange, brown or red colour.
The eclipse will have been visible from Africa to the Middle East, Europe, Russia, India, and Australia.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESA 'blood moon' eclipse is pictured with a sculpture by the American artist Jonathan Borofsky 'Woman walking to the sky' on July 27, 2018 in Strasbourg, eastern France.

In Strasbourg, France, the Moon could be seen looming over this sculpture by the American artist Jonathan Borofsky.

Image copyrightEPAThe blood moon rises behind the Saentis (2502m) Alpstein, Canton of Appenzell, Switzerland,

Here in the Swiss Alps it could be observed in all its glory.

Image copyrightREUTERSStar gazers in Singapore

No protective eye gear was necessary to observe the eclipse.

Image copyrightREUTERSrises behind the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

As the Moon passed over Abu Dhabi, it could be seen behind the minarets of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESThe moon is seen turning red over the Sydney skyline during a total lunar eclipse on July 28, 2018 in Sydney, Australia.

In Sydney, crowds gathered to watch the Moon turn red above the city's distinctive skyline.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESPeople set up telescopes to witness a rare lunar eclipse near 27 in Taipei, Taiwan

People in Taipei, Taiwan, set up telescopes to watch the event. The total eclipse lasted almost one hour and 43 minutes.