People across the world have witnessed an uncommon lunar phenomena known as the "supermoon." The reddish Moon was visible during the late hours of Sunday evening to the early hours of Monday morning.

The moon appeared larger than normal to observers as it was closest to the earth in its orbit. The supermoon that occurred recently coincided with a lunar eclipse.

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Astronomers said the twin occurrence was reported in the early 1980s and will not happen again until around 2033. In the span of century, the phenomenon is said to occur only five times. Many in the scientific community, however, are disputing the use of the term "supermoon" to describe the recent lunar event.

Observers in most parts of Asia, Africa, Europe and western part of North America were only able to glimpse a partial eclipse.

European watchers were able to see the event unfold on the Monday morning. Those in North and South America, however, saw it on Sunday evening.

Due to the moon's reddish appearance, it has been named a 'Blood Moon.' The lunar appearance is due to the fact that blue color in the atmosphere is not as dense as the red one, which is being reflected in the moon.

Space.com explained the during a lunar eclipse, the moon is not completely hidden from view. Lights from the sun passes around Earth and reaches the Moon's edges.

A lunar eclipse happens when the three heavenly bodies namely, the sun, moon and Earth are all aligned with each other. The Earth is slated at the middle, where its blocks most of the sun's light from reaching the moon. Unlike the supermoon event, lunar eclipse occur every three years or less or an average of three to four times in the span of a decade.

In a solar eclipse, the moon is situated between the sun and Earth, effectively preventing sunlight from reaching the planet.

Scientist have expressed assurance that lunar eclipse viewing is relatively safe and no need for special lenses to watch the night event.

Tagssuper moon, blood moon, Lunar Eclipse, solar eclipse, reddish moon, lunar event, lunar phenomenon, moon bigger sight