Last Updated, May 26, 2021, 8:40 AM News
Blood moon live: Rare spectacle as super flower moon to combine with Lunar Eclipse
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Night sky watchers across the world have been enjoying a “super flower blood moon”, a spectacular phenomenon caused by the May full moon coinciding with both the satellite being at its closest point to the Earth during its orbit – making it appear larger and brighter – and a lunar eclipse causing the moon to turn red as it drifts into our planet’s shadow.

The sight has made for extraordinary photographs from the Western United States to Sydney Harbour but, somewhat typically, amateur astronomers in the UK watching the skies from Stonehenge were left frustrated by heavy cloud cover obscuring their view.

While the supermoon is visible across the world, the partial eclipse will only be viewable in parts of the US, eastern Latin Americas and eastern regions of Russia and Asia, although it will be streamable in the UK from approximately 9.45am GMT.

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Stream the lunar eclipse live

The partial eclipse of the moon is due to take place shortly and you can follow a livestream below from the Griffith Observatory in southern California.

Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 09:40

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‘Flower moon’ lights up Bristol

While cloud cover was also a frustration in the West Country last night, the unsual brightness of the moon lighting up the night sky is there for all to see in this shot.

The ‘flower moon’ sets over Bristol

(Ben Birchall/PA)

Amateur astronomers were out in force in Bristol to capture the moment.

Meanwhile, this was the scene from the Trooper’s Hill nature reserve to the east of the city overlooking the River Avon.

Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 09:25

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Cloud cover thwarts ‘flower moon’ fans at Stonehenge

While the exquisitely-named “super flower blood moon” may have proven a spectacular sight across the United States, stargazers in the UK were not so lucky last night as cloud cover contrived to obscure the show in some areas.

May’s full moon coincided with the satellite being at its closest point to the Earth during its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter.

During the celestial event, the moon typically appears around 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter, according to the experts, but large parts of the UK were frustrated by a cloudy night going into Wednesday.

People who travelled to Stonehenge in Wiltshire in the early hours of the morning could only see part of the supermoon, with the rest bathed in cloud.

The full moon in April is known as the “flower moon” because its appearance coincides with the blossoming of spring flowers.

May’s supermoon also coincides with a lunar eclipse that will see the moon turn red, because it drifts into the shadow of the earth.

The Earth’s atmosphere then bends light from the sun and bathes the moon in a crimson red light, hence the name, but that effect will only be visible in parts of South America, Australia and South East Asia.

Stonehenge made for an incredibly atmospheric, even ghostly setting nonetheless.

The ‘flower moon’ sets over Stonehenge on 26 May 2021

(Finnbarr Webster/Getty)

Joe Sommerlad26 May 2021 08:47

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How to see the ‘Blood moon’ lunar eclipse

In a rare coincidence, Wednesday’s full moon will be brighter and larger than usual, as well as appear rusty red in colour across some parts of the world due to a total lunar eclipse.

Nasa says people living in western North America, eastern Asia and western South America will have the best view of the “Blood Moon”.

Vishwam Sankaran has more details of the best time to look out for the eclipse depending on where you are in the world:

Adam Withnall26 May 2021 06:25

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Where will best place in Washington state to see lunar eclipse?

The National Weather Service in Seattle has told its Twitter followers where the best place for them to catch the Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse will be.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 05:00

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How will weather impact lunar eclipse watching in Seattle?

Forecasters predict if Seattle residents will be able to see Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 04:08

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Will Chicago residents be able to see blood moon total eclipse

How much of eclipse will people in the Windy City see on May 26?

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 03:03

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Where to see total lunar eclipse in New Zealand

When and where to see blood moon eclipse in New Zealand.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 02:01

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Supermoon rises over a mosque in the Gulf emirate of Dubai

(AFP via Getty Images)

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 01:03

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NASA: Set your alarms for Super Flower Blood Moon

“Supermoon + total lunar eclipse? It’s showtime,” tweeted the US space agency.

Graeme Massie26 May 2021 00:42

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