Thousands of skywatchers gathered across the Americas, Europe and parts of Africa on Thursday into Friday to watch a total lunar eclipse.

The Moon gradually darkened as it entered the Earth's shadow, until it transformed into a bright, coppery-brown, red disc.

The lunar eclipse began at 2201 EST in North America on Thursday (0301 GMT Friday) as a shadow along the left edge of the Moon.

Where skies were clear, the eclipse proved to be a great spectacle.

The Moon got darker and darker as it went behind the Earth.

Just over an hour later, the eclipse reached totality. The Moon was at its darkest when it climbed above the US East Coast.

Dozens of skywatchers gathered in Mexico City to watch the Moon through telescopes set up by an astronomy society.