Last night, skywatchers across the globe turned their cameras skyward to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of a total lunar eclipse, famously referred to as the "blood moon." This celestial event unfolds when a full moon traverses Earth’s deepest, darkest shadow, known as the umbra.

As the Earth's atmosphere filters light, only the reddish hues can reach the moon, giving it the striking blood-like color that has captivated humanity for centuries. While the U.S. experienced a breathtaking blood moon in March, this latest sighting was exclusive to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

On the night of September 7th to 8th, the moon basked in Earth's shadow for approximately 82 minutes — marking the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022. If you didn’t catch it live, don’t worry! Live Science has compiled an incredible gallery of stunning photographs that showcase this astronomical wonder.

In Beijing, photographer Sheng Jiapeng captured a dramatic shot of the blood moon rising majestically behind the iconic Olympic Park Observation Tower, painting the skyline in red.

Unlike a solar eclipse, where the moon hides the sun, during a lunar eclipse, the moon seamlessly slides behind Earth in relation to the sun, giving it a breathtaking moment in the spotlight.

In Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Nicolas Economou snapped an evocative image of the partially shadowed moon above the city’s charming residential buildings, showcasing how the celestial event intertwines with urban life.

In Germany, the daring photographer Emmanuele Contini captured the blood moon rising dramatically behind the spire of Berlin’s Oberbaumbruecke bridge, blending architectural beauty with natural wonder.

Greece also joined in on the cosmic fun as Nicolas Koutsokostas took a striking photo of the blood-red moon lingering by an air traffic control tower at Athens Airport.

So, why does the moon glow red during these eclipses? It’s all about the Earth’s atmosphere scattering shorter wavelengths of light, allowing the longer, warmer oranges and reds to illuminate the lunar surface.

This enchanting phenomenon occurs only when the moon is perfectly aligned behind our planet in relation to the sun. If the alignment is even slightly off, we witness a partial eclipse, and further deviations reveal a conventional full moon shining in its full brilliance.