Sky watchers marvel at colorful lunar eclipse

Beginning phases ahead of total lunar eclipse, seen from Scotland

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The first eclipse of 2001 marveled sky watchers in much of the world Tuesday, as the total lunar eclipse transformed the bright full moon into a darkened reddish sphere.

Clear skies permitting, much of Europe, Africa and Asia saw the total lunar eclipse, which began at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time and lasted 62 minutes.

Astronomers said the eclipse was particularly spectacular because it is almost a decade since the last big volcanic eruption -- that of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991. The debris thrown up by volcanic eruptions reduces the amount of light transmitted from the sun to the moon during a lunar eclipse.

Africa was also in a prime position and time zone to see what appeared as a dim, red-colored moon.

MESSAGE BOARD Stargazing

"With the earth's atmosphere quite clear at the moment, those with a good view will see the moon brick-red, perhaps with a tinge of blue," said Robert Massey of Britain's Royal Observatory in Greenwich before the event.

Much of Asia saw the eclipse Wednesday morning before dawn.

Unlike a solar eclipse, when the moon blocks a view of the sun, there is no risk in looking directly at the lunar eclipse.

The first eclipse of the year is likely to be the best astronomical spectacle for 2001, save for southern Africa where a solar eclipse is expected in June. Europe will next see a lunar eclipse in November 2003.

The total eclipse and the partial phases before and afterwards were to last slightly longer than three hours, Massey said.

"Solar eclipses last only a few minutes so this lunar event will provide people with a much better opportunity to get a view."

CNN.com Europe writer Gaven Morris and Reuters contributed to this report.

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The Royal Observatory Greenwich

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