The colour of the Moon during an eclipse is not always the same, however. "It depends on the dust content of the Earth's atmosphere and perhaps the level of cloud," says Massey. "The red colour was certainly very intense and perhaps a little darker than I was expecting."

Providing the local skies were clear, the deepest part of the eclipse was visible from all of Europe and Africa, and in Asia westward of central China. It was also visible in central and eastern North America and all of South America.

Up to three lunar eclipses, including partial eclipses, can happen each year. The next total one will occur on 28 August 2007