‘Blood moon’ mesmerizes sky gazers | CNN

A glowing blood moon is seen from <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1230915">San Clemente, California</a>, in the early morning hours of April 4.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

A glowing blood moon is seen from San Clemente, California, in the early morning hours of April 4.

Tom Murphine/CNN iReport

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1230771">Shannon Chase</a> rose early on Saturday to photograph the total lunar eclipse from her home in Carbondale, Colorado.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Shannon Chase rose early on Saturday to photograph the total lunar eclipse from her home in Carbondale, Colorado.

Shannon Chase/CNN iReport

A bright blood moon hovered above <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1230967">Alam Singh's </a>apartment balcony in Melbourne, Australia, on April 4. He was excited to take these shots because he said the city is usually enshrouded by cloud coverage.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

A bright blood moon hovered above Alam Singh's apartment balcony in Melbourne, Australia, on April 4. He was excited to take these shots because he said the city is usually enshrouded by cloud coverage.

Alam Singh/CNN iReport

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231089">BG Boyd </a>created a composition of the total lunar eclipse between the span of two hours Saturday morning in Tucson, Arizona. There are 10 minutes between each frame, he explained

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

BG Boyd created a composition of the total lunar eclipse between the span of two hours Saturday morning in Tucson, Arizona. There are 10 minutes between each frame, he explained

BG Boyd/ CNN iReport

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177472">Paulo Solano</a> combined three different exposures using HDR photography to create this beautiful image from Van Nuys, California, of the October 2014 lunar eclipse. The second "blood moon" of the year could be witnessed throughout North America, as well as over most of the Pacific and much of East Asia.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Paulo Solano combined three different exposures using HDR photography to create this beautiful image from Van Nuys, California, of the October 2014 lunar eclipse. The second "blood moon" of the year could be witnessed throughout North America, as well as over most of the Pacific and much of East Asia.

Courtesy Paulo Solano

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120903">Abe Blair</a> says it was cloudy when he got up to take pictures of the blood moon, but he decided to try anyway. "I am glad I trusted my gut feeling," he said. Blair had picked this tree out earlier in the day, but he had to hike for about 15 minutes in the dark to get there. He shot a two-second exposure for the moon and a 20-second exposure of the tree, and then combined the images in Photoshop.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Abe Blair says it was cloudy when he got up to take pictures of the blood moon, but he decided to try anyway. "I am glad I trusted my gut feeling," he said. Blair had picked this tree out earlier in the day, but he had to hike for about 15 minutes in the dark to get there. He shot a two-second exposure for the moon and a 20-second exposure of the tree, and then combined the images in Photoshop.

Courtesy Abe Blair

There's a nice juxtaposition between the blood moon and a building in Los Angeles that made <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177348">Animesh Ray </a>wonder, "Which is better?" "Perhaps it is not our place to compare but only to contemplate their mutual synergy, one enhancing the other," he said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

There's a nice juxtaposition between the blood moon and a building in Los Angeles that made Animesh Ray wonder, "Which is better?" "Perhaps it is not our place to compare but only to contemplate their mutual synergy, one enhancing the other," he said.

courtesy animesh ray

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177241">Bob Cozzi</a> got up early to see the blood moon over North Aurora, Illinois, at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. "With the clear sky, it feels like you're on another planet," Cozzi said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Bob Cozzi got up early to see the blood moon over North Aurora, Illinois, at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. "With the clear sky, it feels like you're on another planet," Cozzi said.

courtesy bob cozzi

It was the first time <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177339">Nicholas Scott Page</a> from Dayton, Washington, saw the blood moon."I stayed up in April to try and catch the last eclipse but cloud cover spoiled my plans to photograph it," he said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

It was the first time Nicholas Scott Page from Dayton, Washington, saw the blood moon."I stayed up in April to try and catch the last eclipse but cloud cover spoiled my plans to photograph it," he said.

Courtesy Nicholas Scott Page

On the other side of the world, the blood moon appeared at night. <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177239">Hayden Himburg</a> saw the eclipse from Dunedin, New Zealand, Wednesday just before midnight. "I have seen previous blood moons, and they are always impressive," he said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

On the other side of the world, the blood moon appeared at night. Hayden Himburg saw the eclipse from Dunedin, New Zealand, Wednesday just before midnight. "I have seen previous blood moons, and they are always impressive," he said.

Courtesy Hayden Himburg

The lunar eclipse hovers over <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177442">Marie Diaz's</a> home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, early Wednesday morning.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

The lunar eclipse hovers over Marie Diaz's home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, early Wednesday morning.

Courtesy Marie Diaz

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177346">Mike Escott</a> was up at 3 a.m. to photograph the blood moon from his home in San Francisco. He was inspired to set his alarm clock early and head up to his roof to document the lunar event.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Mike Escott was up at 3 a.m. to photograph the blood moon from his home in San Francisco. He was inspired to set his alarm clock early and head up to his roof to document the lunar event.

Courtesy Mike Escott

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1177249">Brian Greenberg</a> enjoys doing astrophotography and captured the blood moon in Victor, New York.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Brian Greenberg enjoys doing astrophotography and captured the blood moon in Victor, New York.

Courtesy Brian Greenberg

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1121188">Nate Paradiso</a> created this composite image of the April 15 lunar eclipes, as seen from the foothills of Boulder, Colorado.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Nate Paradiso created this composite image of the April 15 lunar eclipes, as seen from the foothills of Boulder, Colorado.

Courtesy Nate Paradiso

CNN iReporter <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120753">Dan Huntley</a> mostly does landscape and travel photography, but he turned his camera to the sky for this shot of the "blood moon" over Dallas in April. Huntley has seen eclipses before but not a blood moon. He described it as being "quite amazing."

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

CNN iReporter Dan Huntley mostly does landscape and travel photography, but he turned his camera to the sky for this shot of the "blood moon" over Dallas in April. Huntley has seen eclipses before but not a blood moon. He described it as being "quite amazing."

Courtesy Dan Huntley

iReporter <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120903">Heith Pino</a> of St. Helena, California, used an intervalometer and a shutter release to capture a photo of the April blood moon every four minutes. He stitched together six shots to create this time-lapse photo series. "I was blown away by the colors it reflected and knew I had to brave the cold, chilly evening to capture it," Pino said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

iReporter Heith Pino of St. Helena, California, used an intervalometer and a shutter release to capture a photo of the April blood moon every four minutes. He stitched together six shots to create this time-lapse photo series. "I was blown away by the colors it reflected and knew I had to brave the cold, chilly evening to capture it," Pino said.

Courtesy Heith Pino

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120755">Jeffrey Root</a> shot this photo of the April 15 blood moon through a telescope in Salt Lake City.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Jeffrey Root shot this photo of the April 15 blood moon through a telescope in Salt Lake City.

Courtesy Jeffrey Root

High school sophomore <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120703">Ahan Malhotra</a> and his dad captured this composite image of the blood moon over Miami early April 15. "My dad and I have been planning to view this for many months, and it was truly a breathtaking experience," said Malhotra, an astronomy enthusiast who likes to photograph "mostly galaxies and nebulae."

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

High school sophomore Ahan Malhotra and his dad captured this composite image of the blood moon over Miami early April 15. "My dad and I have been planning to view this for many months, and it was truly a breathtaking experience," said Malhotra, an astronomy enthusiast who likes to photograph "mostly galaxies and nebulae."

Courtesy Ahan Malhotra

The April 15 blood moon passes over Port Orange, Florida, in this time-lapse image from <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120659">Kenneth Ngyuwai</a>.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

The April 15 blood moon passes over Port Orange, Florida, in this time-lapse image from Kenneth Ngyuwai.

Courtesy Kenneth Ngyuwai

Photographer Tiffany Chee-Stalnaker captured this <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120896">radiant shot</a> in Plano, Texas, early on April 15. She says she's always up at night and this time, the sight was "beautiful."

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Photographer Tiffany Chee-Stalnaker captured this radiant shot in Plano, Texas, early on April 15. She says she's always up at night and this time, the sight was "beautiful."

Courtesy Tiffany Chee-Stalnaker

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1121054">Robert Ondrovic</a> drove around for 90 minutes -- and 70 miles across the New York City suburbs -- before he found a clear patch of sky in April. Ondrovic used his mobile Wi-Fi to live stream Doppler radar images to his laptop, where he created this composite image. "One of my tougher moon shots to say the least," he said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Robert Ondrovic drove around for 90 minutes -- and 70 miles across the New York City suburbs -- before he found a clear patch of sky in April. Ondrovic used his mobile Wi-Fi to live stream Doppler radar images to his laptop, where he created this composite image. "One of my tougher moon shots to say the least," he said.

Courtesy Robert Ondrovic

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

No stranger to astronomical photography, J. David Osorio photographed the different phases of the lunar eclipse. He started photographing at 10:45 p.m. April 14 and stopped at 3 a.m. April 15. See more of his photos of the moon's progression.

Courtesy J. David Osorio

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Osorio was part of a small group of past and present physics students from California State University Northridge that got together to view the lunar eclipse and blood moon. "The meeting was spontaneous," said Osorio, an alumnus.

Click the double arrow to see more photos.

Courtesy J. David Osorio

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Osorio joined students and alumni for the photography session on top of a parking structure at the school. Using telescopes, they were able to capture some clean images before the sky clouded over.

Courtesy J. David Osorio

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120890">Norm Keally</a> stood outside in 28-degree weather to capture the start of the lunar eclipse in Fort Collins, Colorado, early on April 15. "I felt fortunate to be able to witness this eclipse," he said.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Norm Keally stood outside in 28-degree weather to capture the start of the lunar eclipse in Fort Collins, Colorado, early on April 15. "I felt fortunate to be able to witness this eclipse," he said.

Courtesy Norm Keally

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120730">Kyle Hansen</a> stood outside for an hour in 25-degree weather on April 15 to get this shot of the blood moon over Burnsville, Minnesota. He said it was "very cool to see the shadow of the earth on the moon."

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Kyle Hansen stood outside for an hour in 25-degree weather on April 15 to get this shot of the blood moon over Burnsville, Minnesota. He said it was "very cool to see the shadow of the earth on the moon."

Courtesy Kyle Hansen

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1121025">Joel Morales</a> says he superimposed 100 separate images to create this progression photo of the blood moon over Dundedin, Florida, in April.

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

Joel Morales says he superimposed 100 separate images to create this progression photo of the blood moon over Dundedin, Florida, in April.

Courtesy Joel Morales

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120979">René Dietrich</a> says he was up until 3 a.m. on April 15 to capture this photo from his back yard in San Juna, Puerto Rico, and had to be back up at 7 a.m. to get to work at his dental practice. He says it was worth losing sleep to "see this spectacular show nature offers to us, completely free!"

Your views of the 'blood moon' —

René Dietrich says he was up until 3 a.m. on April 15 to capture this photo from his back yard in San Juna, Puerto Rico, and had to be back up at 7 a.m. to get to work at his dental practice. He says it was worth losing sleep to "see this spectacular show nature offers to us, completely free!"

Courtesy René Dietrich

Your views of the 'blood moon'

Story highlights

The moon turns a copper reddish color before dawn

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye

Hundreds across North and South America shared their photos

Share your "blood moon" images with CNN iReport

CNN —

Stargazers glimpsed a rare treat as a “blood moon” crossed the Earth’s shadow Tuesday.

The moon took on a devilish glow as it appeared in different phases from 2 to 4 a.m. ET.

Hundreds of people from North and South America, where the blood moon was most visible, shared their images of the lunar spectacle with CNN iReport.

“My dad and I have been planning to view this for many months, and it was truly a breathtaking experience,” said high school student and astronomy enthusiast Ahan Malhotra from Miami.

If rain or clouds obscured your lunar experience, don’t fret. This episode is the first of four consecutive total lunar eclipses – known as the tetrad – that will occur in six-month intervals until September 2015.

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye and don’t require special filters.

Did you capture the blood moon in its best light? Share your images with CNN iReport, or upload your photos via CNN’s mobile app.

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