Updated
Photo:
A man is silhouetted by the moon in sand dunes in Lancelin, north of Perth. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)
Australians have flocked outside to witness — and
document — the rare super blue blood moon, with the country having one
of the best seats in the world for the unusual lunar spectacle.
All
Australians had a ringside seat — weather permitting — to the first
total lunar eclipse since 2015, and they weren't in showing off their
prime positions on social media.The west coast of the country was one of the best places to get a clear view, because the eclipse started just after the sun set and the moon rose.
By being close to the horizon, an optical eclipse occurs which makes it look bigger.
Those on the eastern coast, where it was clear, could see it too, but the moon was "higher" in the sky so it did not appear as large.
A blue moon is a full moon that occurs twice in a month, while a blood moon takes on a reddish hue during an eclipse. The "super moon" applies when the moon appears bigger because it is close to the earth.
The red appearance is caused by the light filtering and bending properties of our atmosphere.
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