Africa enchanted by longest ‘blood moon’ of the century [Photos]

Africa joined other parts of the world to get a glimpse of the ‘blood moon‘.

This would be the longest lunar eclipse in this century, lasting a whole one hour and 43 minutes.

Many captured the moment using their mobile phones and others had their telescopes ready to not only see the moon but also the planets.

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Others were not so lucky as cloud cover blocked their view.  Some were quite hesitant to see the moon because of the strongly held belief that the red moon is a sign of terrible things to come.

One of the most common beliefs from Kenyan communities were compiled by the Daily Nation.

Photo. The Daily Nation

Here are some photos captured by Africans on the continent and the diaspora.

A Kenyan young boy looks through a telescope as the moon turns red in Oloika. Photograph: Daniel Irungu/EPA

Full Moon Eclipse begins in South Africa …………….? ??????? ?……………. . . On this great Astronomy event, we are giving Sun and Moon Wall clock at 50% discount. . . Swipe Right ??????? . . . . . . ? : @2onmain . . . . . . Congratulations ? . . . . . . . #nasa #telescope #solarsystem #astronomy #space #planet #universe #astrophotography #cosmos #astrophoto #moon #esa #astrophysics #milkyway #astrophoto #earth #stars #apod #youresa #LunarEclipse2018 #sky #atmosphere #lunareclipse #bloodmoon #fullmoon #night #nightscaper

A post shared by Infinity Cosmos™ – AstroFrame (@astroframe) on Jul 27, 2018 at 10:59am PDT

Lusaka, Zambia! pic.twitter.com/PLua7w2WVy

— chibuye chimbukuma (@CChimbukuma) July 28, 2018

Rusteburg where are u?RT if u are rustenburg tuu? #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/XxzTFUBH8K

— Regomoditswe komane (@Re_komane) July 27, 2018

#LunarEclipse
What I expected
Vs
What I get. pic.twitter.com/EBedhLJ0Ce

— scapeG.O.A.T (@Tendai_FC) July 27, 2018

#LunarEclipse how beautiful this is? pic.twitter.com/knyluqSr0b

— AfricanDreamSA (@AfricanDream_SA) July 27, 2018

#LunarEclipse
Lunar Eclipse of Egypt ? pic.twitter.com/XVcVdOs8Cc

— سقراط (@Sayedta61179756) July 28, 2018

The stages of the #LunarEclipse2018, as seen from #Gaborone in #Botswana.
–#Moon #RedMoon #RedMoon2018 #LunarEclipse #Eclipse2018 #Nikon #NikonD80 #NikonAfrica #LunarPhotography ???? pic.twitter.com/6id4vDntCO

— Jovan Djokic (@jo_v_an) July 27, 2018

Live Photo’s of the #LunarEclipse from Kaduna, Nigeria ??
?: @lolajayee pic.twitter.com/PPPMS9Rsf1

— Naija PR (@Naija_PR) July 27, 2018

Finally some clear shots, now can go to bed #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/iUDSPF5x4g

— Kirima Nturibi (@K_mountainous) July 27, 2018

The line to get a chance to look through the telescope at the eclipse © AFP / SIMON MAINA