Thousands of Australians rose in the pre-dawn twilight, braving the winter chill on Saturday to marvel at a spectacular celestial display – a glowing red moon and a shimmering Mars.

Hundreds of skywatchers armed with telescopes, binoculars and cameras gathered at Sydney Observatory in Millers Point and Braeside Park in Melbourne to catch the best view of the longest total lunar eclipse this century. Thousands more enjoyed the show from backyards, balconies and on the streets.

At 4.30am, as the Earth snuck between the sun and the moon, a shadow began creeping across its satellite.

Eventually, our planet completely blocked light from the sun, turning the white orb into an eerie, blood red spot in the night sky.