DESPITE some gloomy forecasts for cloud, Tuesday's lunar eclipse proved to be a spectacular event, reports Jenny Dennett.

At the Furness Astronomical Society's Dalton Observatory, opinion was unanimous - this was a "perfect night."

Equipped with 10 inch Newtonian reflector telescope and a few flasks of hot tea, 15 astronomers and enthusiastic amateurs enjoyed an eventful night of star-gazing.

By 7pm the clouds had largely drifted away, leaving a clear view of the moon as it moved into the earth's shadow.

An hour and half later the eclipse had reached totality and the moon took on its eerie red glow - the result of light from the sun being reflected onto it through the Earth's atmosphere.

The view through the telescope was deemed stunning, particularly by those who had not looked through a scope before.

Astrologer Dr Nick White was pleased with the lunar observations.

"It's always intriguing to see the colours of the moon during an eclipse."

Yet the eclipse was not the only attraction.

The astromers took advantage of the moonless dark sky to focus on far off galaxies and dimmer stars.

Nor was our lunar eclipse the only show in the galaxy.

At 20:40, IO, one of Jupiter's moons, could be seen as a black spot passing over the huge planet.

l If you missed the delights of Tuesday night's lunar show do not despair, although you will have to be prepared for a long wait - the next full lunar eclipse is in November 2003.