Total Eclipse of the Server: NASA's Live Stream of Super Blood Moon Fails

Internet users hoping to tune into rolling coverage from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) of the rare super blood moon astronomical phenomenon were left disappointed on Monday, when the agency's servers failed to broadcast it due to a technical problem.

The NASA super blood moon live stream left viewers disappointed

NASA can take heart that theirs was not the only failed attempt at a live broadcast of the super blood moon.

The NASA super blood moon live stream left viewers disappointed

A transmission from Sky and Telescope, an online astronomy magazine, came to a stop, while the livestream from Slooh.com also ran into difficulties.

I guess we broke our website. It's officially Monday.
— Sky & Telescope (@SkyandTelescope) September 28, 2015

If you're having any trouble watching the http://t.co/tlYcGVYfhm event, you can watch on @youtube. #SloohEclipse https://t.co/UrleUswq45
— SLOOH (@Slooh) September 28, 2015

Astronomy fans were able to compensate for the live stream shortfall by exchanging photographs of the super blood moon taken from all over the world.

It's such a miracle! An amazing eclipse and beautiful clouds from Russia. #askNASA @NASA_Marshall pic.twitter.com/N6IA4z6OeU
— Toma (@prosto_space) September 28, 2015

Super blood moons are rare, occurring when a total lunar eclipse coincides with a supermoon, the term for a new or full moon that closely coincides with its perigee, the closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit.

The resulting 'blood moon' appears larger, as it is closer to the Earth, and redder, because it is lit by light refracted through the Earth's atmosphere.

The phenomenon has happened only five times since 1900, and was last observed in 1982; it will not return until 2033.

NASA will be hoping that its next attempt at a live broadcast will go rather more smoothly; on Thursday the space agency called a major press conference at 11:30 am EDT, in order to announce a "Mars mystery solved," according to its press release

NASA Mars News: Tune in Monday for new findings from the Red Planet. http://t.co/s5VjbDuANk #JourneyToMars #askNASA pic.twitter.com/nw2DoyEewH
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) September 25, 2015

big hype surrounding NASA's Mars announcement today — i hope its more along the lines of aliens & not free flowing water.
— Gary C (@oohgaryc) September 28, 2015

The announcement is set to be broadcast live on NASA TV, amid fevered speculation about what the Martian discovery might be.

A collection of photographs taken of the 'super blood moon' from across the world.

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Red supermoon seen beyond the Moscow City Business Center, Moscow, Russia, September 28, 2015

© REUTERS / Jim Young The supermoon raises behind seagulls on the beach in Evanston, Illinois, September 26, 2015. Sky-watchers around the world were treated when the shadow of Earth cast a reddish glow on the moon, the result of rare combination of an eclipse with the closest full moon of the year. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth.

The supermoon raises behind seagulls on the beach in Evanston, Illinois, September 26, 2015. - Sputnik International

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The supermoon raises behind seagulls on the beach in Evanston, Illinois, September 26, 2015. Sky-watchers around the world were treated when the shadow of Earth cast a reddish glow on the moon, the result of rare combination of an eclipse with the closest full moon of the year. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth.

© REUTERS / Enrique MarcarianA supermoon rises in the sky over the Rio de La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.

A supermoon rises in the sky over the Rio de La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 27, 2015 - Sputnik International

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A supermoon rises in the sky over the Rio de La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.

© AP Photo / Sergei GritsA flock of birds fly by as a perigee moon, also known as a super moon, rises in Mir, Belarus, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of capital Minsk, Belarus, late Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. The full moon was seen prior to a phenomenon called a "Super Moon" eclipse that will occur on Monday, Sept. 28.

A flock of birds fly by as a super moon, rises in Mir, Belarus, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of the capital Minsk, late Sunday, September 27, 2015 - Sputnik International

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A flock of birds fly by as a perigee moon, also known as a super moon, rises in Mir, Belarus, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of capital Minsk, Belarus, late Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. The full moon was seen prior to a phenomenon called a "Super Moon" eclipse that will occur on Monday, Sept. 28.

© AP Photo / Sergei GritsA so-called supermoon is seen at the finish of a lunar eclipse behind an Orthodox church in Turets, Belarus, 110 kilometers (69 miles) west of capital Minsk, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. Stargazers were being treated to a rare astronomical phenomenon when a total lunar eclipse combined with a so-called supermoon, the name given when the full or new moon comes closest to the Earth making it appear bigger. It was the first time the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033.

Supermoon seen behind an Orthodox church in Turets, Belarus, 110 kilometers (69 miles) west of the capital Minsk, Monday, September 28, 2015 - Sputnik International

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A so-called supermoon is seen at the finish of a lunar eclipse behind an Orthodox church in Turets, Belarus, 110 kilometers (69 miles) west of capital Minsk, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. Stargazers were being treated to a rare astronomical phenomenon when a total lunar eclipse combined with a so-called supermoon, the name given when the full or new moon comes closest to the Earth making it appear bigger. It was the first time the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033.

© REUTERS / Charles Platiau A super moon rises in the sky near the Eiffel tower as seen from Suresnes, Western Paris, France, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.

Super moon rises in the sky near the Eiffel Tower as seen from Suresnes, Western Paris, France, September 27, 2015 - Sputnik International

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A super moon rises in the sky near the Eiffel tower as seen from Suresnes, Western Paris, France, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.

© REUTERS / Kai Pfaffenbach A combination of six pictures shows the rising supermoon in the sky in Frankfurt, Germany, early morning September 28, 2015. Sky-watchers around the world were treated when the shadow of Earth cast a reddish glow on the moon, the result of rare combination of an eclipse with the closest full moon of the year. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth.

A combination of six pictures shows phases of the rising supermoon in the sky in Frankfurt, Germany, early morning September 28, 2015 - Sputnik International

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A combination of six pictures shows the rising supermoon in the sky in Frankfurt, Germany, early morning September 28, 2015. Sky-watchers around the world were treated when the shadow of Earth cast a reddish glow on the moon, the result of rare combination of an eclipse with the closest full moon of the year. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth.

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Red supermoon seen beyond the Moscow City Business Center, Moscow, Russia, September 28, 2015

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The supermoon raises behind seagulls on the beach in Evanston, Illinois, September 26, 2015. Sky-watchers around the world were treated when the shadow of Earth cast a reddish glow on the moon, the result of rare combination of an eclipse with the closest full moon of the year. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth.

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A supermoon rises in the sky over the Rio de La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.

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A flock of birds fly by as a perigee moon, also known as a super moon, rises in Mir, Belarus, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of capital Minsk, Belarus, late Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. The full moon was seen prior to a phenomenon called a "Super Moon" eclipse that will occur on Monday, Sept. 28.

5/7

A so-called supermoon is seen at the finish of a lunar eclipse behind an Orthodox church in Turets, Belarus, 110 kilometers (69 miles) west of capital Minsk, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. Stargazers were being treated to a rare astronomical phenomenon when a total lunar eclipse combined with a so-called supermoon, the name given when the full or new moon comes closest to the Earth making it appear bigger. It was the first time the events have made a twin appearance since 1982, and they won't again until 2033.

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A super moon rises in the sky near the Eiffel tower as seen from Suresnes, Western Paris, France, September 27, 2015. The astronomical event occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.

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A combination of six pictures shows the rising supermoon in the sky in Frankfurt, Germany, early morning September 28, 2015. Sky-watchers around the world were treated when the shadow of Earth cast a reddish glow on the moon, the result of rare combination of an eclipse with the closest full moon of the year. The total "supermoon" lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon" is one that appears bigger and brighter than usual as it reaches the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth.