LOS ANGELES: Night owls and early risers in North America watched a rare celestial event on Tuesday (April 15) as the Earth's sunset-hued shadow fell across the moon, shifting its color to dark red, depending on local weather conditions.
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California had its doors open late as the lunar eclipse unfolded for over three hours since 1:58 a.m. EDT, when the moon began moving into Earth's shadow. The moon became fully eclipsed and shrouded in an orange, red or brown glow.
It´s the first of four consecutive phenomena of this kind this year and next, a series astronomers call a tetrad. The last time a tetrad took place was in 2003-2004, with the next predicted for 2032-2033.
In total, the 21st century will see eight tetrads.
The year´s second total lunar eclipse will take place on October 8, with the tetrad´s remaining two expected on April 4 and September 28 of next year.
Reuters/AFP