Journalism of Courage
Stargazers were being treated to a rare astronomical phenomenon when a total lunar eclipse combined with a so-called supermoon.
The Supermoon Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, near Lecompton, Kansas. (Source: AP photo)
This combination hasn’t been seen since 1982 and won’t happen again until 2033.
The sky above the La Concha Beach, in San Sebastian, northern Spain, Sunday Sept. 27, 2015. (Source: AP photo)
When a full or new moon makes its closest approach to Earth, that’s a supermoon.
Palm branches frame the moon as earth's shadow obscures the view Supermoon causing a red cast as seen from Tempe, Ariz.,Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (Source: AP Photo)
This full moon looked bigger and brighter than usual and was the closest full moon of the year, about 30,000 miles closer than the average distance.
Supermoon next to the statue of the angel Moroni atop the Los Angeles California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Source: AP photo)
The full eclipse of the moon was supposed to last more than an hour and be visible, weather permitting, from North and South America, Europe, Africa and western Asia.
Supermoon passes behind the peak of the Washington Monument during a lunar eclipse, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (Source: AP photo)
Astronomers urged stargazers to simply look to the east.
A paddle border looks out at the Supermoon from the water off Padre Island Balli park in Corpus Christi, Texas, Sunday. (Source: AP photo)
This eclipse marks the end of a tetrad, or series of four total lunar eclipses set six months apart. This series began in April 2014. (Source: AP photo)
The 21st century will see eight of these tetrads, an uncommonly good run. From 1600 to 1900, there were none.
People watch a perigee moon, also known as a supermoon, rises in Mir, Belarus. (Source: AP photo)
Observatories marked the celestial event with public telescope viewing, although magnifying devices weren't necessary; the eclipse was easily visible with the naked eye.
Supermoon seen through branches of a tree during a lunar eclipse in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Source: AP photo)
Supermoon during a total lunar eclipse over the eastern hills of Orange County in California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (Source: AP photo)
Supermoon behind the Empire State Building in New York City on Sunday night. (Source: NASA HQ Photo)
A statue of a cow is silhouetted against a partially eclipsed so-called supermoon Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Kansas City. (Source: AP photo)
Supermoon as seen in Denver, Colorado. (Source: NASA HQ Photo)
Supermoon rises behind a pine tree just before the start of a total lunar eclipse on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Alexandria, Va. (Source: AP photo)
The so-called supermoon rises over Pacific Tower in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood, Sunday. (Source: AP photo)
Supermoon pasts behind a statue of the Virgin Mary and the Child at Notre Dame de La Garde basilica, before a total lunar eclipse, in Marseille, southern France, Monday, Sept.28, 2015. (Source: AP Photo)
