Link to newsround

Blood moon: Pictures of the partial lunar eclipse from the UK and around the world

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse in the sky over Caracas, Venezuela.Image source, Reuters
  • Published

Calling all stargazers! Those of you who were up early on Friday morning might have been lucky enough to spot a "blood moon" in the sky.

However, cloud across many parts of the UK meant some people had a better view of the partial lunar eclipse than others.

A blood moon occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are lined up, allowing the Moon to pass through Earth's shadow - and glow an eerie red colour.

Let's take a closer look at some of the pictures of the blood moon captured across the UK and around the world.

Did you manage to see the Blood Moon? Let us know in the comments below..

The partial lunar eclipse is seen in the night sky across Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate.Image source, Getty Images

The eclipse was partial in the UK, with the Earth's shadow only covering part of the Moon. It started just before 2.30am as the Moon moved into what is called the penumbra, the faint outer part of the Earth's shadow.

The partial lunar eclipse is seen across Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate.Image source, Getty Images

The main partial phase of the eclipse began around an hour later, as the Moon starts to enter the darkest part of the Earth's shadow - called the umbra. It reached its maximum at 5.12am, when around 93% of the Moon in the UK was within the darkest shadow.

The partial lunar eclipse looking red across Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate.Image source, Getty Images

People sometimes refer to a total lunar eclipse as a "blood moon" because of the way the Moon can turn a deep, coppery red during the eclipse. This happens because sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is filled with gases and particles that act like a filter which scatters blue light (which is why the sky looks blue), but red and orange light pass through more easily.

A composite image of seven separate photographs showing the moon stages of a partial lunar eclipse over Gran Canaria island.Image source, Getty Images

That reddish light bends around Earth and reaches the Moon, making it glow like copper in the sky. This picture - made up of seven separate photographs - shows the different stages of the partial lunar eclipse on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria.

A partial lunar eclipse is visible from Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain.Image source, EPA

Other countries around the world also experienced the partial lunar eclipse. Can you spot the moon peaking through this castle's crenel in the Spanish city of Córdoba?

People observe the partial lunar eclipse as seen over a planetarium in São Paulo, Brazil.Image source, EPA

People around the world gathered to witness the rare sight, like here in São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil. Unlike a solar eclipse, it isn't necessary to use protective glasses to observe a lunar eclipse.

The moon during a partial lunar eclipse appears over skyline in Warsaw, Poland.Image source, Reuters

August's full Moon is also known as the Sturgeon Moon. This is because traditionally this time of year sees sturgeon fish abundant in the rivers of North America.

A commercial aircraft takes off during the start of the lunar eclipse as the moon rises in San Diego in the US.Image source, Reuters

If you missed the partial lunar eclipse, don't worry - there'll be another chance to look up at the Moon. The next lunar eclipse visible from the UK is due to take place on 31 December 2028, so there's plenty of time to set a reminder.