Bolts from the blue: This 30-second exposure was shot from the Greek island of Ikaria when the storm clouds parted for ten minutes during last week's lunar eclipse

This incredible image captures a thunderstorm as it passed in front of last week's lunar eclipse.

The scientific phenomenon, which took place on June 15 and saw the moon turn blood-red, has produced several stunning pictures.

But none quite match this 30-second exposure shot from the Greek island of Ikaria at Pezi by Chris Kotsiopoulos.

He took his picture when the storm clouds parted for ten minutes during the total eclipse phase.

The lightning bolts contributed to the dramatic sky, which contained a blood red moon caused by ash in the atmosphere from a Chilean volcano.

Known as a 'deep lunar eclipse', the rare event often exudes a coppery colour. But the intensity of the colour 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.

The dramatic event was the longest total lunar eclipse since 2000 and turned the moon blood red for 100minutes during the period of totality.

But Europeans missed the early stages of the eclipse because they occurred before moonrise.

Rare event: The moon, photographed by an observer in Tel Aviv, exudes a reddish colour during a deep lunar eclipse last week

Scientists had reassured sky watchers that the eclipse could be safely observed with the naked eye.

People in the eastern half of Africa, the Middle East, central Asia and western Australia were able to enjoy the entire event.

However, those in the U.S. missed out as the eclipse occurred during daylight hours.

The moon is normally illuminated by the sun. During a lunar eclipse Earth, the sun and the moon are in line and Earth’s shadow moves across the surface of the full moon.

Sunlight that has passed through Earth’s atmosphere makes the moon appear red, brown or black.

The moon travels to a similar position every month, but the tilt of the lunar orbit means that it normally passes above or below the terrestrial shadow. This means a full moon is seen but no eclipse takes place.

High above the streets and houses: A partially eclipsed moon rises in the sky over Moscow

A composite picture showing the total lunar eclipse in the east of Beirut, Lebanon. People in the eastern half of Africa, the Middle East, central Asia and western Australia were able to enjoy the entire event