In pictures: Blood moon around the world

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People in many countries have caught a glimpse of a "blood moon" for the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st Century.

The Moon rises behind the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near AthensImage source, Reuters

In Greece, the Moon rose behind the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens.

In a lunar eclipse, the Earth stands between its natural satellite and the Sun.

A picture shows the full moon during a 'blood moon' eclipse beside a statue of ancient Greek god Ares in central Athens on July 27, 2018Image source, Getty Images

Although no longer directly illuminated by the Sun, the Moon still catches light filtered and bent by the Earth's atmosphere. This gives it an orange, brown or red colour.

The eclipse will have been visible from Africa to the Middle East, Europe, Russia, India, and Australia.

A 'blood moon' eclipse is pictured with a sculpture by the American artist Jonathan Borofsky 'Woman walking to the sky' on July 27, 2018 in Strasbourg, eastern France.Image source, Getty Images

In Strasbourg, France, the Moon could be seen looming over this sculpture by the American artist Jonathan Borofsky.

The blood moon rises behind the Saentis (2502m) Alpstein, Canton of Appenzell, Switzerland,Image source, EPA

Here in the Swiss Alps it could be observed in all its glory.

Star gazers in SingaporeImage source, Reuters

No protective eye gear was necessary to observe the eclipse.

rises behind the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu DhabiImage source, Reuters

As the Moon passed over Abu Dhabi, it could be seen behind the minarets of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The moon is seen turning red over the Sydney skyline during a total lunar eclipse on July 28, 2018 in Sydney, Australia.Image source, Getty Images

In Sydney, crowds gathered to watch the Moon turn red above the city's distinctive skyline.

People set up telescopes to witness a rare lunar eclipse near 27 in Taipei, TaiwanImage source, Getty Images

People in Taipei, Taiwan, set up telescopes to watch the event. The total eclipse lasted almost one hour and 43 minutes.

Several BBC readers got in touch to share what they could see - including David Greer in Dubai (below), and Emad Karim in Cairo, Egypt (second and third below).

A picture of the blood man taken in Dubai, UAE, shows red-tinged clouds across a bright orange moonImage source, David Greer
A picture taken in Cairo's Al-Azhar Park shows a bird silhouetted against a golden moonImage source, Emad Karim
A picture sent by Emad Karim in Cairo, Egypt shows a glowing orange moon above reddish Egyptian sandsImage source, Emad Karim

All pictures copyrighted.