Stargazers in North America, India, and Australia had the chance to witness the moon

Super blue blood moon

Stargazers in North America, Hawaii, the Middle East, Russia, India, and Australia had the chance to witness a rare "super blue blood moon".

The earth's shadow bathed our satellite in a coppery hue.

The celestial show is the result of the sun, earth, and moon lining up perfectly for a lunar eclipse just as the moon is near its closest orbit point to earth, making it appear "super" large.

It is the second full moon within the same month, a phenomenon called a "blue" moon, which has nothing to do with its colour.

The "blood" in the name comes from the reddish brown colour the moon takes on when earth enters between it and the sun, cutting off the light rays that usually brighten the lunar surface.  

Thousands gathered at Los Angeles' Griffith Observatory, which opened at 3.30am to a crowd expected to reach 2,000.

Some had waited in line since 10pm the night before, hoping for a choice viewing spot. 

Coffee was on sale, and many science buffs brought their own telescopes to set up on the lawn.

The eclipse began at 3.45am, as a black shadow began to devour one corner of the gray-white moon. An hour later, the lunar surface was plunged into darkness, known as totality.