Top storiesNew ZealandPoliticsBusinessEntertainmentSportsWorld

In pictures: Blood supermoon lights up the skies of Aotearoa

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

The first shots of the supermoon rising into the skies before a total lunar eclipse in May.

For the first time in 40 years, a blood supermoon rose over New Zealand.

The rare supermoon and lunar eclipse combination is quite a spectacle, piquing the interest of astrophotographers and amateur photographers around the country.

The lunar eclipse lasted for about five hours, beginning shortly before 9pm and reaching totality between about 11.11pm and 11.25pm.

Here are some shots of the moon from around the country.

**READ MORE:

The supermoon rising over Auckland city.
The supermoon rising over Auckland city.
The supermoon photographed from Auckland on Wednesday afternoon.
The supermoon photographed from Auckland on Wednesday afternoon.
The supermoon rising over the Waikato, seen from the southern slopes of Mt Pirongia.
The supermoon rising over the Waikato, seen from the southern slopes of Mt Pirongia.
Another shot of the supermoon in the Waikato.
Another shot of the supermoon in the Waikato.
A supermoon seen from the southern slopes of Mt Pirongia rises over the Waikato ahead of a lunar eclipse creating a rare blood supermoon.
A supermoon seen from the southern slopes of Mt Pirongia rises over the Waikato ahead of a lunar eclipse creating a rare blood supermoon.
Telescopes set up at University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory in Tekapo to view the blood supermoon.
Telescopes set up at University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory in Tekapo to view the blood supermoon.
Grant Birley’s shot of the supermoon taken just outside of Te Kauwhata.
Grant Birley’s shot of the supermoon taken just outside of Te Kauwhata.
The supermoon viewed from Auckland this evening.
The supermoon viewed from Auckland this evening.
Wednesday night
Wednesday night's supermoon photographed from Taranaki by Brendan Larsen Photography.
The moon rise at 4.40pm over Palmer Head Fortress, Wellington.
The moon rise at 4.40pm over Palmer Head Fortress, Wellington.
The supermoon sits high in the sky over Waikato on May 26, 2021
The supermoon sits high in the sky over Waikato on May 26, 2021
The blood supermoon eclipse underway.
The blood supermoon eclipse underway.
Earth
Earth's shadow moves over the moon during the blood supermoon.
The earth
The earth's shadow moves over the moon ahead of the blood supermoon.
The partial eclipse is rapidly approaching the full eclipse.
The partial eclipse is rapidly approaching the full eclipse.
Mark Gee from The Art of Night captured this incredible image.
Mark Gee from The Art of Night captured this incredible image.
Stargazers across Aotearoa are enjoying the blood-red supermoon.
Stargazers across Aotearoa are enjoying the blood-red supermoon.
David Reid captured this image of the blood supermoon next to the scorpio star constellation.
David Reid captured this image of the blood supermoon next to the scorpio star constellation.
Minnie Kaur captured this very striking image of the blood supermoon.
Minnie Kaur captured this very striking image of the blood supermoon.
Wellingtonian Jonathan Usher shared this beautiful shot of the blood supermoon and the Milky Way.
Wellingtonian Jonathan Usher shared this beautiful shot of the blood supermoon and the Milky Way.
Hina Patel captured this image from Mt Wellington, Auckland.
Hina Patel captured this image from Mt Wellington, Auckland.
Earth
Earth's shadow moves over the moon during the blood supermoon on May 26, 2021
Lisa Mueller grabbed this shot from Narrow Neck in Auckland.
Lisa Mueller grabbed this shot from Narrow Neck in Auckland.
The Nelson Science Society astronomy section put telescopes in Upper Trafalgar St so members of the public had an opportunity to view the Lunar eclipse. This photo was taken with an iPhone through one of the telescopes.
The Nelson Science Society astronomy section put telescopes in Upper Trafalgar St so members of the public had an opportunity to view the Lunar eclipse. This photo was taken with an iPhone through one of the telescopes.
The Nelson Science Society astronomy section put telescopes in Upper Trafalgar St so members of the public had an opportunity to view the Lunar eclipse on Wednesday night.
The Nelson Science Society astronomy section put telescopes in Upper Trafalgar St so members of the public had an opportunity to view the Lunar eclipse on Wednesday night.
Stuff
Stuff's Tom Lee captured this image of the blood supermoon as it came out the other side of the full eclipse.
Warwick Hamilton snapped a shot of the blood moon from Tauranga.
Warwick Hamilton snapped a shot of the blood moon from Tauranga.
Mo Odedra snapped this photo from the North Shore.
Mo Odedra snapped this photo from the North Shore.
Richard Rossiter
Richard Rossiter's shot of the moon over Mt Rochfort near Westport.
Gary Beal
Gary Beal's shot of the blood supermoon from Hamilton.
The rare blood supermoon over Oreti Beach in Invercargill at 11.18pm.
The rare blood supermoon over Oreti Beach in Invercargill at 11.18pm.
Jillian Wilson captured the stars around the blood moon from Arrowtown.
Jillian Wilson captured the stars around the blood moon from Arrowtown.
Matt Balkham nabbed this shot of the blood supermoon in all its glory from Wellington.
Matt Balkham nabbed this shot of the blood supermoon in all its glory from Wellington.

* Live: After 40 years, rare blood supermoon lights up night sky

* Stargazers, here's what to expect as a rare blood supermoon gets set to light up NZ's sky

* Blood supermoon visible for the first time in 40 years, how to capture it

* Taranaki residents will have to be quick to see super blood moon arising

**