In pics: Stargazers worldwide admire the 'blood moon'

A total lunar eclipse on Sunday and early Monday turned the moon a deep red, creating the spectacular sight known as a "blood moon." The rare event captivated skywatchers worldwide.

Asia and Western Australia enjoyed the full show. Much of Europe and Africa saw the moon already in totality as it rose, while the Americas missed out this time. In total, more than 7 billion people were within range of at least part of the eclipse, according to Time and Date.

"A lunar eclipse is rare. It occurs when the Earth moves directly between the moon and the sun, blocking sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. This eclipse lasted unusually long, nearly 80 minutes, as the moon passed deeply into Earth's shadow," Kou Wen, an expert at the Beijing Planetarium, told China Media Group (CMG).

"Because Earth is surrounded by a thick atmosphere, some sunlight is refracted and scattered, with longer red wavelengths reaching the moon. That's why during a total lunar eclipse, the moon can appear red, orange or even bronze," Kou explained.

Observers were also treated to another celestial show: saturn with the blood moon. A bright star-like point appeared just above the moon to the upper left – the planet Saturn.

The next total lunar eclipse is expected on March 3, 2026.