NASA explains the rare event of a Lunar Eclipse, where the full Moon darkens and glows red as it enters the Earth's shadow. Courtesy: NASAGoddard

MILLIONS of people around the world stayed up late or raced outside to watch the rare lunar eclipse overnight, which turned the moon red.

As the hashtag #BloodMoonEclipse started trending worldwide on Twitter, many stargazers turned to social media to post pictures of what they were seeing.

MORE: How the lunar eclipse works

Many in North America started to see the moon slowly disappear, as it began its journey to pass behind Earth, into its shadow.

Here’s how it looked close-up from a professional photographer’s view.

News_Image_File: The moon is seen ... as it heads into a total lunar eclipse in Miami, Florida. Picture: Joe Raedle

This is how watchers captured it on their smartphones and cameras.

Update on the #BloodMoonEclipse ... It's still a moon. pic.twitter.com/r4pmXy6vHs — Mike Danenberg Photo (@MikeDanenberg) April 15, 2014

Awaiting the #BloodMoonEclipse and my iPhone + binoculars + @dannyhoyt got this gem. Who needs telescopes? (We do) pic.twitter.com/l7q1yqwpuy — Phil Torres (@phil_torres) April 15, 2014

When it started to turn a slight shade of red, social media users got particularly excited.

Here’s another professional shot.

News_Image_File: A lunar eclipse begins over southern California ... as seen from the San Gabriel Valley, east of downtown Los Angeles. Picture: Frederic J. Brown

This is how it was seen by stargazers in Australia.

News_Module: Red moon from the Gold Coast

These images were captured across the globe.

This is how Guatemala City saw it.

It was clear to see for all in the Dominican Republic too.

These images were taken in the US and posted on Instagram.

News_Module: The moon turning red

News_Module: The Moon in Denver, Colorado

Who needs to write papers when you can look at the moon #bloodredmoon #lunareclipse pic.twitter.com/yRZVQkybkH — Austin Johnson (@austinjayee) April 15, 2014

It took me a lot of tries to take this pic #LunarEclipse #bloodmoon pic.twitter.com/7wF7sX1Gcd — DJ Vinyl (@DJvinyl_) April 15, 2014

This Instagram image was taken in Nicaragua.

News_Module: Red Moon

Here’s another professional image taken from the Mt Lemmon Skycenter in Arizona in the US, which was posted on Twitter.

This image was taken from Hawaii.

This picture was taken in Texas.

Then the Moon starting to slowly return as the eclipse entered its final phase.

This is how it was seen in Melbourne.

Another view from Australia.

More photos from around the world.

Moon is peeking back out, and I’m headed to bed. Thanks to all for a fun #LunarEclipse Twitter party! pic.twitter.com/cg7jkduMCC — Jennifer L. Hoffman (@astroprofhoff) April 15, 2014

The #LunarEclipse is now moving into it's last phase as the moon becomes brighter... #Lunar pic.twitter.com/mHMbElXWqz — Color Me Red (@ColorMeRed) April 15, 2014

News_Module: The Moon returns