See the most dazzling photos of the super blood wolf moon - AOL
A total lunar eclipse dominated the sky on Sunday night, to the delight of stargazers across America.
The celestial event ― nicknamed a super blood wolf moon ― differed from the last two total lunar eclipses because it was visible to Americans from coast to coast, depending on local weather conditions.
Sunday’s blood moon was also visible in Central and South America and parts of Western Europe and Africa.
The heavenly spectacle owed its name to three distinct characteristics. It was a blood moon because the Earth’s shadow completely covered the moon, giving it a reddish glow. This phenomenon is officially known as a total lunar eclipse.
It was called a supermoon because the eclipse happened at a point in the moon’s orbit when it is closest to the Earth, which causes the moon to look slightly brighter and bigger than usual.
Sunday’s super blood moon was nicknamed a wolf moon because that is the title The Farmer’s Almanac gives to January’s full moon.
The last total lunar eclipse, which occurred in July, was visible only over parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Another one took place in January 2018 and was most visible to Americans on the West Coast, Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.
NASA estimates there will be 85 total lunar eclipses this century. Still, space enthusiasts who missed this week’s show may have to wait quite some time before the next total lunar eclipse. NASA scientists predict that will happen on May 26, 2021. Americans on the West Coast will likely have the best chances of viewing that celestial show.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: The Super Wolf Blood Moon lunar eclipse passees over One World Trade Center on January 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Image
BARSTOW, CA - JANUARY 20: A total lunar eclipse and supermoon is seen over ancient Native American petroglyphs on January 20, 2019 near Barstow, California. This is the last total lunar eclipse in the United States until May 26, 2021. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
A total lunar eclipse is seen over Spotsylvania, Va., Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. The event is being called a "super blood wolf moon" because it is currently at the closest point to Earth in its orbit, reflects red light. In January, the full moon is also sometimes known as the wolf moon or great spirit moon. (Mike Morones/The Free Lance-Star via AP)
The moon is framed in a statue on the state Capitol during a total lunar eclipse Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. The entire eclipse will exceed three hours. Totality-when the moon's completely bathed in the Earth's shadow-will last an hour. Expect the eclipsed or blood moon, to turn red from the sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A super blood wolf moon rises behind the TransAmerica building in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Our first full moon of the year is also a special kind of total lunar eclipse thats been dubbed a 'super blood wolf moon.' This total lunar eclipse or 'blood moon' is simultaneously a 'supermoon' because of the Moon's close proximity to Earth and it happens to coincide with the 'wolf moon', the traditional name for the January full moon. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
This photo shows the totally eclipsed moon, as seen from Athens, Ga., Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. It was also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position. During totality, the moon will look red because of sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere. That's why an eclipsed moon is sometimes known as a blood moon. In January, the full moon is also sometimes known as the wolf moon or great spirit moon. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP)
A blood moon rises above Christ the Redeemer statue during a lunar eclipse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. It's also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
People watch a blood moon from a rooftop of a planetarium during a lunar eclipse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. It's also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position to Earth. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
The moon is seen during a lunar eclipse, referred to as the super blue blood moon, in Encarnacion, Paraguay on January 21, 2019. (Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE / AFP) (Photo credit should read NORBERTO DUARTE/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A Super Blood Moon is above the Frankfurt skyline during a lunar eclipse on January 21, 2019. (Photo by Frank Rumpenhorst / dpa / AFP) / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read FRANK RUMPENHORST/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on January 21, 2019 in Cologne shows a view of the Super Blood Moon above the landmark Dome during a lunar eclipse. (Photo by Henning Kaiser / dpa / AFP) / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read HENNING KAISER/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on January 21, 2019 the Super Blood Moon seen behind the equestrian statue of the Saxon king Johann during a lunar eclipse in Dresden. (Photo by Sebastian Kahnert / dpa / AFP) / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read SEBASTIAN KAHNERT/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2019/01/21: Super blood wolf moon at early morning hours in London. (Photo by Brais G. Rouco/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
EDITORS NOTE LONG EXPOSURE A super blood wolf moon over the peace statue on Brighton seafront during a lunar eclipse. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
A super blood wolf moon over Edinburgh Castle during a lunar eclipse. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JANUARY 21: The Earth's shadow falls on the surface of the moon during the partial eclipse phase of the lunar eclipse on January 21, 2019 over the Paul-Henri Spaak building of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
A picture taken on January 21, 2019 in Le Mans northwestern France shows the Super Blood Moon during a lunar eclipse behind the statue named 'L'envol'. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on January 21, 2019 shows the so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon behind the Tours's cathedral on January 21, 2019, central France. (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT / AFP) (Photo credit should read GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP/Getty Images)
This combination photo shows the totally eclipsed moon, center, and others at the different stages during a total lunar eclipse, as seen from Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. It was also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position. During totality, the moon will look red because of sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere. That's why an eclipsed moon is sometimes known as a blood moon. In January, the full moon is also sometimes known as the wolf moon or great spirit moon. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
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