Lunar eclipse: Longest ‘blood moon’ of the century

The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century took place this Friday, July 27.

The total phase of the “blood moon” eclipse of July 27  lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes. From start to finish, the entire celestial event  lasted nearly 4 hours.

The eclipse wasn’t visible to viewers in North America, except via webcasts. But observers in much of Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and the Indian Ocean region  got an eyeful.