Lunar eclipse blood moon dazzles gazers in Kenya

A blood-red moon dazzled star gazers across much of the world on Friday when it moved into Earth’s shadow for the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st Century.

In Nairobi, Kenyans watched as the moon darkened.

“This is what life is all about: Magical moments like this,” said Teddy Muthusi as he watched from Uhuru Park in Nairobi. “It’s just beautiful. It’s well worth it.”

The total eclipse lasted 1 hour, 42 minutes and 57 seconds.

Thousands of people turned their eyes to the stars to watch the moon, which turned dark before shining orange, brown and crimson in the shadow.

Finally. Amazing. Beautiful. Nairobi. #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/YjDZt7lKOU

— Ahmed Mohamed (@Asmali77) July 27, 2018

#Bloodmoon Happening here Nairobi Kenya #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/DrANI6FoFi

— Dennis Wainaina (@denniswaish) July 27, 2018

23:08 Lunar eclipse as seen along thika road Nairobi Kenya. I am sorry my camera is not worthy of colins injera's permanent signature. pic.twitter.com/QdElV49wwP via @0Eriq

— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) July 27, 2018

A partial eclipse preceded and follows, meaning the moon will spend a total of nearly 4 hours in the Earth’s umbral shadow, according to NASA.

The fullest eclipse was visible from Africa, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and much of Asia and Australia though clouds blocked out the moon in some places.

The eclipse will not be visible from North America or most of the Pacific.

Reuters charted the eclipse from across the world, capturing a shimmering orange and red moon above Cairo, the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens, the Bavarian village of Raisting in Germany, Rio beach in Brazil and Johannesburg.