The first total lunar eclipse in more than two years lit up the sky last night as humanity, forever fascinated with the Earth’s only natural satellite, watched.

In the Americas alone more than one billion people in 35 countries could bear witness to the total lunar eclipse.

According to Dr. Angela Speck, a professor of astrophysics and department chair for physics and astronomy at The University of Texas at San Antonio, the "blood moon" total lunar eclipse was visible across the U.S. and no special equipment was necessary to view it.