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

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.

Thursday night into early Friday morning was the first of two celestial features this March, with a full “blood moon” lunar eclipse being visible in the night sky. Between 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. ET the eclipse was at its peak for viewing in New England.