Super blood moon delights skygazers

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Super Blood Moon Delights Skygazers
The blood moon during a total lunar eclipse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 16th, 2022. Photo: CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
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By Sophie Wingate, PA

Skygazers were treated to a dramatic super blood moon in the early hours of Monday.

In this year’s only full lunar eclipse, the moon turned a deep coppery red as it drifted into the shadow of the Earth.

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The Earth’s atmosphere bends light from the sun, bathing the moon in a red hue.

Eclipse
People look at the moon during a total lunar eclipse in Buenos Aires, on May 15th, 2022. Photo: Luis ROBAYO / AFP

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The moon began entering the Earth’s shadow just after 2.30am, and started to darken considerably about an hour later, appearing as if it was becoming a waning crescent.

The best viewing time was between 4.29am-5.06am, when the moon was completely eclipsed.

Eclipse
The blood moon is seen during a total lunar eclipse in Santiago, on May 15th, 2022. Photo: MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP

The eclipse also coinciding with a supermoon, when the satellite is at its closest to the Earth during its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.

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The blood moon is the first of its kind for two years.

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