HUNDREDS of stargazers flocked to a rooftop car park in Richmond last night hoping to catch a glimpse of a red moon.
Unfortunately clouds made it almost impossible to see the rare lunar eclipse, but it didn't seem to bother the astronomy enthusiasts.
Astronomical Society of Victoria vice-president Terry Vlahos remained upbeat about the event despite the moon's virtual no-show.
"It's better than nothing," he said, as a sliver of the moon disappeared.
"I'm happy with the turnout and people seem to be having a good time. We can see Jupiter and some of the other constellations."
For almost an hour the moon teased the attentive crowd as it poked through the clouds before clear sky revealed the moon in all its red glory.
Christian Vasquez travelled from Deer Park for the lunar viewing.
"It's a bit unfortunate," he said. "But the turnout and the atmosphere has more than made up for it.
"It's great to see everyone having a good time, especially the kids."
Curator of Astronomy at Sydney's observatory, Nick Lomb, said most people in NSW had been able to see the eclipse.
"It's rare, but not as rare as a blue moon," he said.
While lunar eclipses occur at least twice a year somewhere in the world, the last time a total eclipse was visible from Australia's eastern states was in 2000.
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Posted By auromarx to Auromarx at 8/29/2007 12:21:00 AM
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