Hong Kong dazzled by super blood moon

Moongazers in Hong Kong were out in force on Wednesday evening for the rare cosmic event known as the “super blood moon”. While some said they enjoyed the occasion, others were left disappointed, saying the moon was mostly hiding behind the clouds.

Before nightfall, scores of people carrying cameras and tripods were already seen in Shek O, Quarry Bay and Whampoa, considered to be the prime spots for the phenomenon.

Under the super blood moon, a full lunar eclipse coincides with a supermoon, which is when the moon is particularly close to Earth and appears brighter than normal.

And for about 15 minutes, the moon appears to turn red as it moves fully into Earth’s shadow.

Hong Kong last witnessed the phenomenon over 20 years ago, and it won’t happen here again for another 12 years, which was why some people at the Whampoa waterfront told RTHK they came early to get the best viewing spot.

“I took a couple of hours off to come here a bit earlier, just to make sure I can secure a good spot,” Linda said.

“It’s pretty exciting because things are happening at the same time, you have the moon eclipse, the supermoon and the blood moon… I think it’s quite an extraordinary experience.”

Hundreds of people eventually filled the promenade, but their spirits were quickly dampened by the clouds after 7 pm, when the lunar eclipse was supposed to take place.

“There’re too many clouds, around 80 percent of the time they shrouded the moon,” a moongazer surnamed Lam complained.

“And I can’t see the reddish colour, I only see a white moon.”

Still, there were those who were happy with the experience.

“Although it is cloudy, we can still take some beautiful photos,” said Angela, who came with her friends.

She said she did not mind waiting for an hour just to catch glimpses of the moon from time to time.

“When it comes out from the clouds again, it is more exciting for us.”

She said she will gladly go moongazing again 12 years later when the super blood moon reappears here.