BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News - Just after 3 a.m. today, the moon turned red.

The lunar eclipse started after 1 a.m. and about two hours later, the full effects were visible from several places across Barbados and the world.

According to Ricardo Small, president and director of the board of the Barbados Astronomical Society, the red moon phenomenon is caused when the light is refracted from the day side of the earth through the atmosphere and strikes the moon. While many were able to enjoy the rare sight, others complained about cloud cover which obscured their view.