From Greece to Abu Dhabi, a rare lunar eclipse is stunning all over the world, but not in the UK

From Greece to Abu Dhabi, from Australia to Iraq, a magnificent moon of blood as spectacular as it was rare illuminated the night sky around the world on Friday night.

It marked the beginning of the longest total lunar eclipse see this century, pbading between the sun and the earth for a grand total of 103 minutes.

Recognized as a "real heavenly treat" by Professor Andrew Coats of Mullard Space Science Laboratory, and a "monster of nature" by space journalist Sarah Cruddas, she certainly respected her billing.

A blood moon is actually a lunar eclipse – caused by the Earth pbading between the moon and the sun.

Only the light that is refracted The Earth's atmosphere manages to reach the Moon, everything outside the red wavelengths being scattered, leaving the Moon red blood

An incredibly stormy weekend has made these views difficult in the UK.

Stargazers were left in disgrace TED as the clouds largely obscured the celestial phenomenon.

But Sky News has put together some of the most catchy snapshots in the world for you to enjoy.

:: In the circumstances: "Freak of nature" The moon of blood illuminates the sky

The moon rises in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

It was the view to Thymari, near Athens

Cairo was a source of some of the best shots

The moon on the Wilayah Mosque in Kuala Lumpur