Buildup to Super Blood Moon Eclipses the Finale

The moon is partially covered by buildings in Brasilia, Brazil, at the start of a total lunar eclipse early on May 26, 2021. Eraldo Peres/AP Photo

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—In the end, the buildup seemed to eclipse the finale.

People across New Zealand and around the world stayed up Wednesday to watch a cosmic event called a super blood moon, a combination of a total lunar eclipse and a brighter-than-usual supermoon.