Total lunar eclipse. Montage of 24 exposures taken during the total lunar eclipse of 21st January 2000. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into the shadow cast into space by the Earth. The Moon does not disappear during totality as sunlight is refracted onto it by the Earth's atmosphere. Much of the blue light is scattered during the passage of the light through the atmosphere, making the Moon appear red at totality. Lunar eclipses are visible from everywhere on the night side of the Earth. Mid- totality for this eclipse was at 04:44am on 21st January, and totality lasted for one hour and seventeen minutes.