Tonight, much of the world will get to see not only a blue moon and a supermoon, but also a total lunar eclipse, all rolled into one. There hasn't been a triple lineup like this since 1982 and the next won't occur until 2037.
Photographers and stargazers have been treated to a spectacle as a super blue blood moon hung over the night sky on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
But while some saw the unique view, others had their experience marred by cloud coverage.
Aroha Wakefield in Rotorua was able to catch themoon unobstructed as it rose over the horizon.
Amit Kamble photographed the moon over five hours in Tauranga. Photo / Amit Kamble
The blue moon which was also a supermoon, and a total lunar eclipse, all rolled into one hasn't been seen since 1866 and won't happen again 2037. Photo / Aroha Wakefield
The super blue blood moon was able to be seen unobstructed in Rotorua but was blocked by cloud in Auckland. Photo / Aroha Wakefield
The blue moon was clearly visible over Woodhill Forest northwest of Auckland. Photo / Craig Rogers
The supermoon and partial eclipse as seen in Kawerau. Photo / Tim Sunga
But gazers in Auckland were disappointed their view was blocked by cloud.
Tim Sunga of Kawerau captured the supermoon and partial eclipse, and was lucky enough to catch a few minutes of the blood moon, before rain set in.
Craig Rogers took a clear shot of the blue moon northwest of Auckland at Woodhill Forest.
The moon was in eclipse from 12.50am until 4.11am, and turned completely red between 1.51 and 3.07am. Having the blue moon combined with a supermoon and a total lunar eclipse all on the same night has not happened since 1886 and will not occur again until 2037.
The city landmark weather vane in the form of an angel, fixed atop a spire of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in St.Petersburg, Russia. Photo / AP
The eclipse was visible across the Pacific into Asia as the moon rose on Wednesday night and into the early hours of today.
A supermoon is a particularly close full or new moon, appearing somewhat brighter and bigger. A total lunar eclipse — or blood moon for its reddish tinge — has the moon completely bathed in Earth's shadow.
The Super Blue Blood Moon sets behind Santa Monica Mountains as seen from Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, California. Photo / AP
The super blue blood moon is seen over Los Angeles yesterday. Photo / AP
A partially eclipsed super blue blood moon is shown over the skies in Las Vegas. Photo / AP
Peter Felhofer, president of the Northland Astronomical Society, said the moon would be a spectacular sight for those who did see it.
He said in New Zealand the moon was technically not a blue moon because it happened about 2.30am on February 1, but for the rest of the world it is. ''It's particularly exciting that the lunar eclipse is happening on a super moon and the moon is expected to be anything from a deep red to purple, so it should be quite a sight for those who do see it."
A flock of birds fly by the full moon as Earth's shadow begins to cross the upper left of the full moon behind the East Point Lighthouse in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Photo / AP
The full moon sets behind the trees along Jake's Landing in Dennis Township, New Jersey in the US. Photo / AP
The moon rises beside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo / AP
The moon rises in a rare phenomena that combines a supermoon, a Blue Moon and a total lunar eclipse as seen in Legazpi city, around 340 kilometres southeast of Manila, Philippines. Photo / AP
''Normally you'd look for the biggest bright thing in the sky, but it's going to be dark and if the moon is purple it will be very hard to spot in the night sky."
