Total lunar eclipse in all its glory – pictures of the blood moon

The blood moon
Total lunar eclipse in all its glory

Red moon during a lunar eclipse in the dark night sky. The Earth's shadow colours the moon's surface copper red.

Red moon during an eclipse over Italy. The structure of the moon's surface is visible in the shadow.

Red moon during an eclipse, surrounded by stars. Silhouettes of trees are visible in the foreground.

Series of photographs showing the different phases of a lunar eclipse. The moon changes from reddish and darkened to brightly lit.

Close-up of the red moon during an eclipse over Travemünde. Craters and structures appear in reddish light.

Red moon during an eclipse over Munich. The structures of the surface appear in the play of shadows.

Red moon during an eclipse behind the branches of a tree. The silhouette of the branches stands out darkly against the night sky.

Red moon during an eclipse over a field. Dark plants stand out against the night sky.

Red moon during an eclipse over Ilmenau. At the bottom edge, the moon is already appearing brighter.

Red moon during an eclipse over Rieden on Lake Forggensee. The surface appears in reddish-purple shades.

Red moon during an eclipse over the Hornisgrinde. A radio tower with red lights stands silhouetted in the foreground.

Red moon during an eclipse over Nauen. The Earth's shadow colours the moon a bright red-orange.

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The so-called blood moon was clearly visible in many parts of Europe, such as here east of Stuttgart in Germany.

A total lunar eclipse took place on Sunday evening during the full moon, with parts of Europe able to witness the natural spectacle.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are perfectly aligned, with the Earth between the Sun and Moon. The Earth then casts its shadow onto the Moon.

The moon is completely immersed in the Earth's umbra and glows reddish colours because the Earth's atmosphere refracts and filters the sunlight. Our satellite then shimmers copper-red, hence the name blood moon.