If you're in North America, you may have had no idea that an exceptional lunar eclipse took place this afternoon. But most of the rest of the world got in on the spectacle, and you can, too, after the fact.

This eclipse was notable for several reasons: The moon went right through the center of Earth's shadow, which means the total phase went on for 100 minutes — the longest duration since the year 2000. Also, last week's volcanic eruption in Chile was thought to have put enough sulfur in the air to lend a dusky, coppery color to the moon during totality. The reddish shade certainly didn't disappoint, as you can see in these pictures.

 

---

Every total lunar eclipse bring the question, "Why does the moon turn red?" And we have the answer: It's because the reddish wavelengths of the sun's blocked light are actually bent around Earth's disk, lending a sunset glow to the eclipsed moon.

 

Phases of the eclipse were visible from wide swaths of Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia as well as the Indian Ocean and South America. Pretty much every major land mass in the world, in fact, except for North America and Greenland. If you're hankering to see a total lunar eclipse with your own eyes, the next opportunity comes on Dec. 10, when the show will be visible from the U.S. West Coast as well as Australia, the Pacific and most of Asia.

More about eclipses:

• Interactive: What causes a lunar eclipse?
• Nine cool facts about lunar eclipses
• Greatest hits from a partial lunar eclipse
• Marvel at the 'Midnight Sun' eclipse

---

You can connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page or following @b0yle on Twitter. Also, give a look to "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.