Images of tonight's lunar eclipse from around the world

Fri, 27 Jul, 2018 - 21:39

A total lunar eclipse is taking place tonight, with the moon expected to turn red in the longest eclipse this century.

Unfortunately, heavy rainfall and cloud cover across the country means it is unlikely that Irish skygazers will get a clear look at the blood moon.

A full moon with a pinkish tinge rises behind the ancient temple of Poseidon in cape Sounio, about 40 miles south of Athens (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)

Other countries have had much better luck, with people sharing some stellar shots from across the globe.

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Spectacular blood moon in Pakistan ... pic.twitter.com/19FjWB4EAr
— Umar Saif (@umarsaif) July 27, 2018

A blood moon rises over Tel Aviv, Israel (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Lunar eclipse in Palestine, captured from the occupied Hebron city "Al-Khalil" #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/4hqGvr6FmE
— Muhammad Smiry 🇵🇸 (@MuhammadSmiry) July 27, 2018

A "blood moon" is rising across Asia, Europe and the Middle East because of the lunar eclipse. It’s the longest lunar eclipse we’ll see until 2123. pic.twitter.com/hng31yVocO
— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 27, 2018

The moon turns red as seen from Lucerne, Switzerland (Urs Flueeler/PA)

#LunarEclipse #lunareclipse2018 South Africa
My amzing little brother took the pic. pic.twitter.com/R2IoIHCafx
— Divine Kabwe (@divine_kabwe) July 27, 2018

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A blood moon rises over Turkish capital Ankara (Burhan Ozbilici/AP)

Durban, South Africa. Watching it on a very clear night, through the telescope. pic.twitter.com/MpBxWukV8X
— Barbara Barker-Cobb (@barbsll) July 27, 2018

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The moon rises past the Colosseum in Rome (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Earth casting its shadow.....im just in AWE! SPECTACULAR #EclipseLunar #LunarEclipse #Joburg #canonphotography pic.twitter.com/iDFsv914aq
— Clarence Watts (@clarencesdb) July 27, 2018

The moon turns red in Bernkastel-Kues, Germany (Harald Tittel/AP)

Tonight's eclipse timeline for Ireland is as follows:

8.30pm: Total eclipse begins. Below horizon. Not directly visible.

9.21pm: Maximum eclipse. Below horizon. Not directly visible.

9.22pm: Moonrise. Below horizon. Not directly visible.

9.26pm: Maximum. This is when the eclipse reaches its greatest magnitude while the entire moon is above the horizon. The true maximum cannot be seen as the moon is then below the horizon. The advice from timeanddate.com is to go a high point or find a clear area with free sight to east/southeast for the best view.

10.13pm: Total eclipse ends. Moon close to horizon so make sure you have free sight to southeast.

11.19pm: Partial eclipse ends.

12.28am: Penumbral eclipse ends.