26. Total Lunar Eclipse

Astronomers have watched in awe as the world experienced a total lunar eclipse, yesterday.

For more than three and a half hours, the moon moved into the shadow of the earth, slowly becoming engulfed.

Star-gazers across the nation have been thrilled by the phenomenon, which occurs every two or three years.

The eclipse began at 6.51pm AEST, with the moon shrouded into a copper-coloured ball until just after 8.30pm, when it again emerged from the shadow.

While the eclipse is full, the moon appears blood red because only the red component of sunlight is diffracted around the earth onto its surface.

If you missed this eclipse, the next one is not until December 2010 - Sky News.

_________________________________________________