STARGAZERS in parts of the UK lucky enough to be under clear skies were able to enjoy a "super blood wolf moon" this morning.

The rare phenomenon, caused partially by a lunar eclipse, makes the surface of the moon appear a reddish hue while seeming brighter and closer to earth than normal.

South Wales Argus: The moon from Swansea (Picture: Sian Pearce Gordon)

Catching a glimpse of the event was down to luck for those wrapping up and heading out early, as many parts of the country were covered by cloud this morning, including Gwent.

Here's how the super blood wolf moon looked over Kent (Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said beforehand: "There's a lot cloud around, but there are some breaks to enjoy the lunar eclipse as well.

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Some residents of Newport and the surrounding area voiced their disappointed at being unable to see the eclipse.

Ms Biggs said: "I kept checking and couldn't see the moon."

The wolf moon as it appeared over Caerleon (Picture: Camera Club member Lindsay Williams)

A super blood wolf moon occurs when a blood moon and supermoon happen simultaneously and was best seen from the UK at around 5.10am, providing clouds did not obstruct the view.

The optimum viewing time was at around 5.12am when the eclipse was at its peak.

The super blood wolf moon over Liverpool (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Astronomers are particularly interested in this year's blood moon as it is the last of its kind for two years.

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"We're going into this unusual lull in total lunar eclipses over the next couple of years," explained Tom Kerss, an astronomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

"So this is a really good one to catch as it's going to be a long time before you catch another one like this."

The earth's shadow begins to fall across the super blood wolf moon (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Argus astronomer Jonathan Powell said: "Whilst the skies early on did look promising to catch the eclipse, the cloud thickened considerably past midnight and across much of Gwent most of us would have struggled to catch a glimpse.

"Granted, there were a few breaks in cloud cover, but insufficient to spot the eclipse. 2029 is our next chance!"

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While the supermoon and blood moon titles come from the brightness and reddish hue respectively, the first full moon of the year is called a "wolf" moon, named after the howling wolves.

Did you manage to get a photo of the moon despite cloudy skies? We'd love to see them - send them to: newsdesk@southwalesargus.co.uk or join South Wales Argus Camera Club.