Volcano Ash Turns Asian Eclipse Blood Red

Asian and African night owls were treated to a lunar eclipse, and ash in the atmosphere from a Chilean volcano turned it blood red for some viewers.

The Sydney Observatory said the eclipse was to begin at 3:25 a.m. Thursday (1:25 p.m. EDT, 5:25 p.m. GMT Wednesday) and last until after 5 a.m.

Scientists said the specific phenomenon happening Thursday — known as a "deep lunar eclipse" — often exudes a coppery color. But the intensity of the color depends on the amount of ash and dust in the atmosphere.

Luckily for moon-gazers, there was plenty of ash in the air so the moon appeared orange or red, especially in Asia. Air travelers haven't been so lucky: The ash has grounded hundreds of flights around the region.

Iceland volcano ash closes Heathrow, Gatwick airports again

In a repeat of last month's travel chaos, Britain's Heathrow and Gatwick airports and others in the North of England, Scotland and Ireland have been closed until 0600 GMT Monday because of volcanic ash from Iceland, said British officials.

A no-fly zone compulsory by the Civil Aviation Authority will see Heathrow, Gatwick and London City near the airport down until 0700 BST.

"Inside this time frame, the dissimilar parts of the UK's airspace - including the airspace in the southeast - will probably are closed at dissimilar times," said DFT said.