The crowd at Kuching Waterfront, eager to see the rare phenomenon.

KUCHING: Good weather here on Wednesday saw locals and tourists come together at the Kuching Waterfront to observe the rare lunar phenomenon of a Super Blue Blood Moon and total lunar eclipse – something that has not occurred since 1866.

Although at times the moon was hidden behind clouds, patient professional and amateur photographers managed to get their best shots.

Sultan Iskandar Planetarium Kuching curator Ismandy Ali explained that a total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, earth, and moon are in a linear position and the whole moon crosses the shadow of the Earth’s umbra.

“This will give the eclipse the look of darkening and reddening before returning to its original colour at the end of the phenomenon by midnight. This is the time the moon will be blocked by the Earth’s shadow,” he said.

He explained that a super moon occurs when the moon is nearer to the Earth, making it appear larger than usual.

“It’s about 15 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter but the atmosphere might distort the colour of the moon,” he said.

“The phenomenon is also being described as a blue moon as in January the full moon occurred twice according to the Gregorian calendar and not because the moon turns blue in colour.”

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Faculty of Engineering PhD student Jong Tze Kiam described the phenomenon as very interesting.

“It is a treat for us locals and people around the world,” he said.

“This phenomenon fascinates me due to the change in colour of the moon caused by it passing under the earth’s shadow – something rarely seen. There is of course an explanation to it but nothing beats what nature gives us.”

Sarawak Forestry Corporation executive Ramli Ahmad recalled childhood memories of when villagers saw a full red moon in the sky.

“In the old days, our elders will hold special prayers. Village people would beat drums, shake the trees and plants, and pray that it would give the villagers a good and bountiful harvest, and they would take a special bath to have great health and live in prosperity,” he recalled.

“I’ve always enjoyed nature and when you understand things like this phenomenon and science, it is a great joy to see nature through science happening in front of you.”