Our favourite images of the super blue blood moon

On the night of Wednesday, January 31, 2018, skywatchers enjoyed a rare lunar event that combined three rare phenomena – a blue moon, a super moon and a total eclipse. The result was spectacular, and photos from beguiled sky-watchers have flooded in. Here are some of the best.

Super blue blood moon seen from new zealand: crowds gather on the marine parade beach to watch the moon rise on january 31, 2018.
Super Blue Blood Moon seen from New Zealand: Crowds gather on the Marine Parade Beach to watch the moon rise on January 31, 2018.
Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

A super blue blood moon is the result of the three things happening at once. Not only is it the second full moon in January, but the moon will also be close to its nearest point to Earth on its orbit, and be totally eclipsed by the Earth’s shadow. The last time these events coincided was in 1866, 152 years ago.

The moon rises between two office buildings in bangkok.
The moon rises between two office buildings in Bangkok.
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images
People watch the super moon rising in the sand dunes on january 31, 2018 in lancelin, australia.
People watch the Super moon rising in the sand dunes on January 31, 2018 in Lancelin, Australia.
Paul Kane/Getty Images

Last seen from Australia in December 1983, the spectacle was coined a ‘super blue blood moon’ by NASA. The celestial show is the result of the sun, Earth, and Moon lining up perfectly (or near perfectly) for a lunar eclipse, just as the Moon is near its closest orbit point to Earth, making it appear “super” large.

The full moon shines over los angeles, california.
The full moon shines over Los Angeles, California.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
A plane flies passing the moon over los angeles, california.
A plane flies passing the moon over Los Angeles, California.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

During the height of the eclipse, known as the umbral period, direct sunlight is blocked by the Earth’s shadow. Light, however, does still reach the moon, refracted through the shadow. Blue wavelengths are scattered away, leaving primarily those at the red end of the spectrum, giving a rusty glow to the moon.

Total lunar eclipse in jakarta.
Total Lunar Eclipse in Jakarta.
Edi Ismail/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Unlike solar eclipses, which are typically visible in narrow bands across the globe, lunar eclipses are pretty much visible everywhere during the night. Indonesians observed a total lunar eclipse phase using a telescope at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta.

A super blue blood moon rises behind the camlica mosque on january 31, 2018 in istanbul, turkey.
A Super Blue Blood Moon rises behind the Camlica Mosque on January 31, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
The super blue blood moon seen over the sand dunes in lancelin, australia.
The Super Blue Blood Moon seen over the sand dunes in Lancelin, Australia.
Paul Kane/Getty Images

The US will be able to look forward to another blood moon eclipse on January 21, 2019. The next total lunar eclipse will occur later this year, on July 27. This will not be visible from North America, but it will put on a show for much of the rest of the world. The next blue blood moon, won’t be seen fora decade. Until then, happy sky gazing!

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