Blood moon paints the sky red: Stargazers around the world look to the heavens to witness stunning lunar spectacle for first time in 33 years

The eerie light created from a lunar eclipse with the moon near to its closest point to the Earth will delight astronomers while filling others with dread. Some religious groups and believers in astrology are convinced the spectacle is a sign that the End of Days is approaching. It began at 1.10am in the UK (8.10pm in the eastern US), with the 'total' phase - when the moon is completely in shadow - starting at 3.11am (10.11pm). It is due to finish at 4.24am in the UK (11.11pm). It will end when the moon leaves the Earth's shadow at 6.24am (1.24am). When the moon is at perigee, its shortest distance from the Earth, it is 226,000 miles away. Pictured: The supermoon rises into the sky over St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside (main image), and near Strong City in Kansas (inset).