Blood moon paints the sky red: You won't get to see this sight till 2033

The world was in for a blockbuster on Sunday night when a total lunar eclipse shared the stage with a supermoon on Sunday night.

The eclipse lasted for more than an hour and was visible from North and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.

This was the first time in three decades that a supermoon -- the time when the moon is at its closest orbit to the Earth, making it appear around 14 per cent bigger -- combined with a lunar eclipse, giving the moon an ethereal red glow.

The last time this coincided with a lunar eclipse, when the moon is covered by the Earth’s shadow, was in 1982 - and it will not be repeated until 2033. 

Many believe this eclipse is significant as it marks the completion of an unusual line-up of four total eclipses at six-monthly intervals known as a ‘tetrad’.

Over the hill: The supermoon rises behind Glastonbury Tor, England. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A perigee full moon, or supermoon, is seen during a total lunar eclipse behind The Colorado State Capitol building. Such an event will now take place in 2033, say astronomers. eclipse behind The Colorado State Capitol building. Photograph: NASA/Bill Ingalls 

A blood moon rises behind a hilltop residence in Solana Beach, California. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

The supermoon raises behind seagulls on the beach in Evanston, Illinois, USA. Some religious groups and believers in astrology are convinced the spectacle is a sign that the End of Days is approaching. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

A perigee full moon, or supermoon, is seen next to the Empire State Building, USA. Photograph: Joel Kowsky/ NASA via Getty Images