• A yacht sails off the coast of Sydney, Australia, as the Moon rises. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Flower Blood Moon, took place on Wednesday night. AP
    A yacht sails off the coast of Sydney, Australia, as the Moon rises. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Flower Blood Moon, took place on Wednesday night. AP
  • The Super Flower Blood Moon rises over the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens, Greece. Reuters
    The Super Flower Blood Moon rises over the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens, Greece. Reuters
  • The total lunar eclipse was visible above Hong Kong. The Moon appeared slightly reddish in colour. AFP
    The total lunar eclipse was visible above Hong Kong. The Moon appeared slightly reddish in colour. AFP
  • People watch the eclipse from the Central Radio and TV Tower in Beijing, China. It was the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. AP
    People watch the eclipse from the Central Radio and TV Tower in Beijing, China. It was the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. AP
  • The Super Flower Blood Moon rises over the Buddhist Plaosan temple in Klaten regency, Central Java province, Indonesia. It is estimated that the temple was built in the 9th century. Reuters
    The Super Flower Blood Moon rises over the Buddhist Plaosan temple in Klaten regency, Central Java province, Indonesia. It is estimated that the temple was built in the 9th century. Reuters
  • Sculptures on St Isaac's Cathedral are silhouetted as the Moon rises above St Petersburg, Russia. AP
    Sculptures on St Isaac's Cathedral are silhouetted as the Moon rises above St Petersburg, Russia. AP
  • A full moon rises over Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A full moon rises over Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The Super Flower Blood Moon was one of this year’s two supermoons, which occur when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Super Flower Blood Moon was one of this year’s two supermoons, which occur when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The biggest and brightest supermoon of the year shine above Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The biggest and brightest supermoon of the year shine above Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Moon appears slightly reddish over Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National.
    The Moon appears slightly reddish over Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National.
  • The supermoon, which causes the Moon to appear larger than usual, shines behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters
    The supermoon, which causes the Moon to appear larger than usual, shines behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters
  • Stargazers in Santa Monica, California, were among those able to enjoy the event. It was one of two supermoons this year. AP
    Stargazers in Santa Monica, California, were among those able to enjoy the event. It was one of two supermoons this year. AP
  • The supermoon appears slightly reddish as it rises over Brasilia, Brazil. AP
    The supermoon appears slightly reddish as it rises over Brasilia, Brazil. AP
  • Lunar eclipse is observed over dome of Al Azhar Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA
    Lunar eclipse is observed over dome of Al Azhar Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA
  • Plants are silhouetted against the Super Flower Blood Moon as it rises over of Chile. EPA
    Plants are silhouetted against the Super Flower Blood Moon as it rises over of Chile. EPA
  • The Moon appears larger than usual as it rises above the Barangaroo tower in Sydney. AP
    The Moon appears larger than usual as it rises above the Barangaroo tower in Sydney. AP
  • The full moon rises over Dubai. It was the second of two supermoons this year. AFP
    The full moon rises over Dubai. It was the second of two supermoons this year. AFP
  • The Super Flower Blood Moon was visible through low clouds above San Diego, California. Reuters
    The Super Flower Blood Moon was visible through low clouds above San Diego, California. Reuters
  • A stargazer takes in the celestial event from a castle in Skopje, North Macedonia. EPA
    A stargazer takes in the celestial event from a castle in Skopje, North Macedonia. EPA
  • A full moon rises over Buenos Aires, Argentina, before the total lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow. EPA
    A full moon rises over Buenos Aires, Argentina, before the total lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow. EPA

Science

Super Blood Moon and lunar eclipse dazzles around the world - in pictures

The first total lunar eclipse in about two years combines with a supermoon for a cosmic show

The National

May 27, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The Moon put on a show for many parts of the world, as the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years coincided with a supermoon.

The blazing orange moon dazzled as it hung over the skies of the Pacific, as well as the western half of North America, parts of South America and eastern Asia.

The Super Blood Moon is reddish-orange because Earth's atmosphere acts as a lens to bend some of the reddish colours seen at sunrise and sunset 
on to the surface of the eclipsed Moon.

More lunar shows are coming. On November 19, there will be a partial eclipse when the Moon dims but does not turn red.

The next total lunar eclipse will be in May 2022. The previous one was January 2019.

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