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Stargazers enjoy rare supermoon eclipse

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Stargazers were treated to a rare astronomical phenomenon when a total lunar eclipse combined with a so-called supermoon.

Those in the United States, Europe, Africa and western Asia could view the coupling Sunday night or early Monday.

It was the first time the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033.

When a full moon makes its closest approach to Earth, it appears slightly bigger and brighter than usual and has a reddish hue.

That coincided with a full lunar eclipse where the moon, Earth and sun were lined up, with Earth's shadow totally obscuring the moon.

The event occurred on the U.S. East Coast at 8:11 p.m. MDT and lasted about an hour.

"You always want to see the eclipse because they're always very different," said astronomer Edwin Krupp, the director of the hilltop landmark.

Krupp said the additional component of the earth's atmosphere adds "all kinds of twists and turns to the experience."