Beijing treated to super lunar eclipse not seen since Qing dynasty

Thursday, 1 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

BEIJING (Reuters): Millions of people across the Chinese capital were treated to a ‘super blood blue moon’ eclipse on a cold but clear night on Wednesday, a phenomenon not seen since the late Qing dynasty more than 150 years ago.

The eclipse coincided with a so-called blue moon - or the second full moon in a calendar month – and a super moon, when the moon is at or near, its closest to Earth. About 400 super-keen skywatchers dressed in thick coats queued patiently outside the Beijing Planetarium to peer into eight telescopes mounted on tripods.

Beijing was among a number of locations in the country and on the Pacific Rim that will witness the total lunar eclipse.