Super blood moon

Stunning photos show the super blood moon in all its glory

By Allison Foreman FromMashable

MAGE: VALENTIN FLAURAUD/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

In the wise words of Yello, “Oooh yeah. The moon is beautiful.”

Western hemisphere skywatchers enjoyed front row seats to a stunning celestial treat Sunday night as the only total lunar eclipse of 2019 arrived in its full glory. An eclipse of similar caliber is not due again until 2022.

“Visible for its entirety in North and South America, this eclipse is being referred to by some as a super blood moon,” explains Lyle Tavernier, educational technology specialist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “‘Super’ because the moon will be closest to Earth in its orbit during the full moon … and ‘blood’ because the total lunar eclipse will turn the Moon a reddish hue.”

The awe-inspiring event took over the sky for a total of 62 minutes, giving photographers plenty of time to snag incredible shots. So if you missed out on this one-of-a-kind stunner or are looking to relive the magic, check out their gorgeous work below.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ringo H W Chiu/AP/REX/Shutterstock (10069502a) This combination photo shows the totally eclipsed moon, center, and others at the different stages during a total lunar eclipse, as seen from Los Angeles, . It was also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position. During totality, the moon will look red because of sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere. That's why an eclipsed moon is sometimes known as a blood moon. In January, the full moon is also sometimes known as the wolf moon or great spirit moon Lunar Eclipse , Los Angeles, USA - 20 Jan 2019

Mandatory Credit: Photo by J David Ake/AP/REX/Shutterstock (10069451a) A U.S. Flag in downtown Washington flies in front of the moon during a lunar eclipse, . The entire eclipse will exceed three hours. Totality - when the moon's completely bathed in Earth's shadow - will last an hour. Expect the eclipsed, or blood moon, to turn red from sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere Lunar Eclipse, Washington, USA - 20 Jan 2019

Mandatory Credit: Photo by JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (10069477c) The moon turns red during the so-called 'super blood wolf moon' lunar eclipse above the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2019. Bitterly cold temperatures hovering just above zero degrees Fahrenheit did not stop DC residents from watching the only total lunar eclipse of the year. Super blood wolf moon lunar eclipse in Washington, DC, USA - 21 Jan 2019

$Mandatory Credit: Photo by CATI CLADERA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (10069686b) A combo picture shows the different phases of the 'super blood moon' and the eclipse seen from Mallorca, Spain, early 21 January 2019. The entire eclipse was visible from North and South America, as well as parts of western Europe and north Africa. The phenomenon was referred to by some as a 'super blood wolf moon' being a combination of a 'blood moon' as, during the eclipse, only the sun rays refracted by the earth atmosphere are reflected from the moon surface and give it a reddish color, a 'supermoon' given the large apparent size of the moon due to its relative proximity to earth and finally a 'wolf moon', the name often given to the full moon in January. Lunar eclipse in Baleares, Andratx (Islas Baleares), Spain - 21 Jan 2019$

Mandatory Credit: Photo by JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (10069477a) The moon turns red during the so-called 'super blood wolf moon' lunar eclipse in Washington, DC, USA, 21 January 2019. Bitterly cold temperatures hovering just above zero degrees Fahrenheit did not stop DC residents from watching the only total lunar eclipse of the year. Super blood wolf moon lunar eclipse in Washington, DC, USA - 21 Jan 2019

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Virginia Mayo/AP/REX/Shutterstock (10069464b) The Super Blood Wolf Moon eclipse between branches of a tree in Antwerp, Belgium, . The eclipse takes place when the full moon is at or near the closest point in its orbit to Earth, a time popularly known as a supermoon. This means the Moon is deeper inside the umbra shadow and therefore may appear darker Lunar Eclipse, Antwerp, Belgium - 21 Jan 2019

$Mandatory Credit: Photo by VALENTIN FLAURAUD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (10069484b) A total lunar eclipse is pictured in Allaman, Switzerland, 21 January 2019. The entire eclipse was visible from North and South America, as well as parts of western Europe and north Africa. The phenomenon was referred to by some as a 'super blood wolf moon' being a combination of a 'blood moon' as, during the eclipse, only the sun rays refracted by the earth atmosphere are reflected from the moon surface and give it a reddish color, a 'supermoon' given the large apparent size of the moon due to its relative proximity to earth and finally a 'wolf moon', the name often given to the full moon in January. Lunar eclipse in Switzerland, Allaman - 21 Jan 2019$