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29 March 2024

Stargazing Blood Moon, the world over

A paddle border looks out at the so-called supermoon from the water off Padre Island Balli park in Corpus Christi, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP)

Published
By AP

Skygazers were treated to a rare astronomical event Sunday when a swollen ‘super moon’ and lunar eclipse combined for the first time in decades, showing the planet bathed in blood-red light.

Those in the United States, Europe, Africa and western Asia viewed the rare coupling Sunday night or early on Monday.

Earth's shadow begins to obscure the view of a so-called supermoon during a total lunar eclipse over the eastern hills of Orange County in California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. It was the first time Sunday that the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033. (AP)

It's the first time the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033.

In downtown Brooklyn, crowds of people gathered on plazas and sidewalks, gazing up at the sky and trying to take photos with their smartphones.

When a full moon makes its closest approach to Earth, it appears bigger and brighter than usual and is known as a supermoon.

A super moon rises behind a grazing cow in a pasture near Lecompton, Kan., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, before a total lunar eclipse. It was the first time Sunday that the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033. (AP)

In Miami, sky-watchers had a nice view on a cloudless, warm night. People came out to Bayfront Park and other parts of downtown to watch it, taking many photographs.That will coincide with a full lunar eclipse where the moon, Earth and sun will be lined up, with Earth's shadow totally obscuring the moon.


This composite image shows the progression of the total lunar eclipse to a Blood Moon in Centreville, MD, September 27, 2015. (AFP)

The moon appeared in more of a copper rather than reddish tone, however.

 A supermoon rises in the sky above the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica in Marseille, France, September 28, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual. (Reuters)

A supermoon, the last of this year's supermoons, is pictured in the sky in Managua, Nicaragua September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual. (Reuters)


A super moon rises in the sky near the Eiffel tower as seen from Suresnes, Western Paris, France, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual. (Reuters)


A full moon silhouettes television and radio antennas on Boutilier Mountain, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, early Sunday Sept. 27, 2015. The full moon was seen prior to a phenomenon called a "Super Moon" eclipse that will occur Sunday night. (AP)

The moon travels to a similar position every month, but the tilt of its orbit means it normally passes above or below the Earth's shadow -- so most months have a full moon minus eclipse.
 

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