LOS ANGELES — Stargazers were treated to a rare astronomical phenomenon Sunday night and Monday morning when a total lunar eclipse combined with a so-called supermoon.

Those in the United States, Europe, Africa and western Asia were able to view the coupling, weather permitting. In southern Maine, skies were clear.

It was the first time the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won’t again until 2033.

When a full moon makes its closest approach to Earth, it appears slightly bigger and brighter than usual and has a reddish hue. That coincided with a full lunar eclipse, where the moon, Earth and sun lined up, with Earth’s shadow obscuring the moon.

The event occurred on the East Coast at 10:11 p.m. and lasted about an hour.

In Europe, the action unfolded before dawn Monday.

“You always want to see the eclipse because they’re always very different,” said astronomer Edwin Krupp.

Krupp said the additional component of Earth’s atmosphere adds “all kinds of twists and turns to the experience.”

“What we see tonight will be different from the last event: how dark it is, how red it is. It’s always interesting to see,” he said.


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