A rare "supermoon eclipse" captivated skywatchers across the U.S., South America, Europe, Africa, and much of Asia. The partial lunar eclipse, lasting over an hour, showcased a cosmic event where the moon appeared to have a bite taken out of its surface. As Earth's shadow slowly covered the moon, it dimmed, creating a mesmerising display for those lucky enough to witness it. The eclipse offered a stunning view as the moon's brightness gradually faded, only to reappear after being partially engulfed in Earth's umbra. This rare celestial event enthralled viewers worldwide.

Supermoon eclipse in Russia (Image: AP)

During this stunning spectacle, the full "harvest moon" rose beautifully before entering Earth's shadow. As the moon passed through space, it dimmed over 91 minutes before being fully engulfed. A dark shadow, Earth's umbra, then began to carve a portion of the moon. Over 62 minutes, the shadow gradually covered 8% of the moon’s surface. As the event progressed, the moon slowly returned to its usual brilliance as Earth's shadow receded.

The Celestial Dance Continues

Two weeks after this lunar eclipse, on October 2, an annular solar eclipse will follow. Visible from a narrow path across the Pacific to the Atlantic, including Easter Island and Patagonia, it’s a direct consequence of this lunar alignment. During the annular eclipse, the new moon will be farther from Earth than usual, creating a "ring of fire" effect in the sky.

Eclipses Come in Pairs

Lunar and solar eclipses often occur in pairs due to the moon’s orbit. As the moon crosses Earth's shadow, it also aligns with the sun two weeks later. The next total lunar eclipse, or "Blood Moon," is set for March 14, 2025, visible across the U.S., followed by a partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025.

These rare astronomical events offer a glimpse into the celestial mechanics governing our universe.