Star gazers got a 'twofer' Sunday night in a rare alignment of the sun, Earth and moon to produce a total lunar eclipse known as a 'Super Blood Wolf Moon.'

A total lunar eclipse that is called a 'Super Blood Wolf Moon' as seen from Encinitas, California, US, January 20, 2019.
A total lunar eclipse that is called a 'Super Blood Wolf Moon' as seen from Encinitas, California, US, January 20, 2019. (Reuters)

The only total lunar eclipse this year and next came with a supermoon bonus.

On Sunday night, the moon, Earth and sun lined up to create the lunar eclipse, which was visible throughout North and South America, where skies were clear.

The rare alignment of our star, moon and home is called a 'Super Blood Wolf Moon.' And there won't be another like it until 2021.

The so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon slips into Earth's dark umbral shadow during the total lunar eclipse as seen from Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City, Mexico, on January 20, 2019.
The so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon slips into Earth's dark umbral shadow during the total lunar eclipse as seen from Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City, Mexico, on January 20, 2019. (AFP)

It was also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position.

The moon is seen in its waxing gibbous stage as it rises behind the Empire State Building (L) with the Lackawanna rail and ferry station tower seen at right, January 20, 2019, from Jersey City, US.
The moon is seen in its waxing gibbous stage as it rises behind the Empire State Building (L) with the Lackawanna rail and ferry station tower seen at right, January 20, 2019, from Jersey City, US. (AP)

The entire eclipse took more than three hours. 

Totality, which is when the moon's completely bathed in Earth's shadow, lasted an hour. 

During a total lunar eclipse, the eclipsed, or blood moon turns red from sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere.

The moon appeared extra large this time because it was slightly closer to Earth – 358,000 kilometres (222,000 miles) away – hence the moniker 'Super Blood Wolf Moon.'

The total eclipse begins as the full moon shines over Montevideo on January 21, 2019 while coloured lights decorate 18 de julio Avenue ahead of carnival festivities in Uruguay.
The total eclipse begins as the full moon shines over Montevideo on January 21, 2019 while coloured lights decorate 18 de julio Avenue ahead of carnival festivities in Uruguay. (AFP)
The eclipse and Super Blood Wolf Moon as seen from Bogota, Colombia, January 20, 2019.
The eclipse and Super Blood Wolf Moon as seen from Bogota, Colombia, January 20, 2019. (Reuters)

Besides the Americas, the entire lunar extravaganza could be observed, weather permitting, all the way across the Atlantic to parts of Europe.

The lunar eclipse progresses behind the Monumento a la Carta Magna y Las Cuatro Regiones Argentinas in Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 21, 2019.
The lunar eclipse progresses behind the Monumento a la Carta Magna y Las Cuatro Regiones Argentinas in Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 21, 2019. (AP)
The Moon during the Super Blood Wolf Moon total lunar eclipse over New York, US, January 20, 2019.
The Moon during the Super Blood Wolf Moon total lunar eclipse over New York, US, January 20, 2019. (Reuters)
Source: AP