Large crowds gather to watch ‘super blood moon’ in Hong Kong
- Local enthusiasts flock to vantage points, despite social-distancing rules
- ‘I have been taking my equipment out over the past few days to test it out,’ one says, ‘but this isn’t my first rodeo either’
Large crowds flocked to vantage points on both sides of Hong Kong’s harbour to gaze at Wednesday’s “super blood moon”, when Asia experienced its first visible total lunar eclipse in nearly three years.
Social-distancing rules restricting public gatherings to only four people at a time were brushed aside in the excitement to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial alignment, which was clearly visible only for a few seconds before being obscured by clouds.
At the Hung Hom promenade, where astronomy buffs and curious spectators jostled for space, 60-year-old Y.C. Wong said he was not disappointed and would do it again at the next opportunity.
“I have watched astronomical phenomena for more than 10 years,” he said, armed with a professional camera and a tripod.
“Actually a blood moon is not a very rare phenomenon, but this one is bigger than usual,” Wong said.
