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Rare Supermoon Eclipse Illuminates the World

The last time it happened was in 1982 and the next is 18 years away, in 2033.

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The supermoon rises behind Glastonbury Tor, United Kingdom (Gettty Images).

This lunar eclipse was visible in North and South America as well as Europe, Africa, and some parts of West Asia. The Moon’s orbit changes by more than 31,000 miles from apogee, the highest point of its orbit, to perigee.

Others fear the event is a harbinger of doom.

The good news is that people who claimed this particular eclipse fulfilled a Biblical prophecy and heralded the end of the world have been proved wrong.

The spectacle began to unfold from 1:10am, with the “total” phase – when the moon is completely in shadow – lasting from 3:11am to 4:24am. Blood Moons are not frequent unlike the Lunar eclipses which occur twice a year.

On its elliptical path around the Earth, moon sometimes comes closest to the earth, the portion being called perigee.

Although Indians could enjoy the ‘Supermoon, ‘ they are going to miss a total lunar eclipse since the totality of the eclipse will start after 7 am on Tuesday.

In Escondido, California, observer John Melson captured the lunar eclipse as the moon was rising over nearby hills. It’s not based on anything technical or astronomical, and it certainly doesn’t suggest that you should be afraid of lunar eclipses.

The first shadow was visible at 9:07 p.m. EDT (01:07 GMT).

But if the reports are to be believed, the people in India can get to see the rare Red Blood Moon 2015 or Supermoon with the Nehru Planetarium, Delhi holding a special view of the glorious Supermoon. Kormendy, a professor in the astronomy department, said he wasn’t aware of the event prior to press time. Apparently, many sacrificed their sleep to watch it.

Unusually, the Earth took position in a straight line between the moon and the sun, blotting out the direct sunlight that normally makes our satellite glow whitish-yellow.

Despite cloudy skies over parts of the province, many people were able to capture a glimpse of the moment.

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In the Netherlands, photography student Annemiek Schout said the eclipsing moon was one of the most handsome sights she has seen, especially with its reddish hue.

Lunar eclipse in Prague