The supermoon total lunar eclipse that lit up the sky on Sunday night at around 10.15 p.m. ET won't happen again until 2033, so stargazers across the U.S. and Europe eagerly took to the streets with eyes turned upwards.
It was a moment for Earth's roiling humanity to pause and revel in the wonders of nature, but perhaps the real lesson here was the very serious limitations of smartphone photography.
Look, everyone, the supermoon is great. Your photos aren't.
Katie Couric gave it a red hot go, but even she can admit she failed.
Mmmmm not @neiltyson approved but I tried! #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/sT3JeJRehl— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) September 28, 2015
Others knew exactly where to lay the blame for their lacklustre pictures: The iPhone.
Maybe by the next #Supermoon smart phones will take better pictures of the sky! Who knows what 2033 holds! #Fox25 pic.twitter.com/zMaTT0AD9G— Heather Hegedus (@HeatherHegedus) September 28, 2015
Thanks, iPhone. For this super awesome, high quality photo of the #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/HyfYZjxmtp— erin (@sherwoodywood) September 28, 2015
Well, wish I had a better camera with me rather than my iPhone, the #Supermoon is awesome! pic.twitter.com/52IpmiV5q8— Lori McNee (@lorimcneeartist) September 28, 2015
Trying to take a pic of the moon on an iPhone 4s: #fail #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/VHvxnXFdOB— Kala Rafuse (@KalaRafuse) September 28, 2015
Smartphone photography fails were a phenomenon on par with the supermoon itself.
Anyone else? #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/uJ8k9S8x2V— #YourLocalABC (@KAPPKVEW) September 28, 2015
Not a spectacular photo fro@my phone but the big orange ball is rising! #supermoon pic.twitter.com/Ux5ClVsDZc— Becky Henchman (@EatPlayThaw) September 28, 2015
And from far away on a sub par smartphone. #Supermoon #astronomy pic.twitter.com/jFSUeYwzJQ— Michelle Ton (@MichelleNTon) September 28, 2015
These little blobs are the moon, apparently.
Not the most amazing photo but it's definitely a #Supermoon and it's definitely red! pic.twitter.com/RRMQPVlFWS— Alex Blackmore (@AlexPBlackmore) September 28, 2015
Definitely worth waking up for #Supermoon #LunarEclipse ! pic.twitter.com/x4sf8KkSnl— Eleesha Drennan (@EleeshaDrennan) September 28, 2015
Here's mine now show me yours #LunarEclipse #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/wsnC48BSrm— shorty (@ssropin) September 28, 2015
Her it is...one last time before bed It SO far away #Supermoon I just can't get a great picture #OkWx pic.twitter.com/gZhRHZk8J1— Christy (@SuperHerosWife) September 28, 2015
Cloud,lights&night's mysteries... reckon this is as good as it gets from my side of the planet #SuperMoon Howling. pic.twitter.com/S50mtwwpjz— Emmie (@BellusAnimus) September 28, 2015
Did you know Donald Trump has many superior lunar golf courses?
It's the classiest, most luxurious #SuperBloodMoon that you've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/Ulto5HA15X— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) September 28, 2015
Dear 2033 world: Consider investing in some photography equipment or perhaps just enjoy the next supermoon lunar eclipse with your peepers.
You can always DIY like this guy.
Clouds have rolled in. This will have to do for now @WGRZ #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/q11YeJTRfm— Patrick Hammer (@pathammer) September 28, 2015