An exceedingly rare blue supermoon has arrived leaving stargazers across Europe delighted.
The lunar phenomenon occurs only three or four times a year as the moon reaches its closest point to Earth.
That makes our lunar satellite appear up to 14 per cent larger and a third brighter than normal, leading to some truly spectacular views while the moon is full for the next three days.
This lunar display is even rarer than a standard supermoon, as it coincides with the first blue moon since August last year and will appear dark red due to wildfire ash in the atmosphere.
And while the amazing sight is stunning star gazers, unfortunately there will not be another until 2037.
COPENHAGEN: A plane passes by the supermoon over Copenhagen as a blue supermoon has arrived in Europe
ATHENS: The full moon known as blue moon rises over the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion near Athens
GREECE: The term ‘supermoon’ is used to describe when the full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth
TURKEY: Super moon rises over buildings in Ankara, Turkiye on August 19. There will not be another until 2037
SWITZERLAND: A so called blue supermoon rises above the “Dent d’Oche” mountain viewed from Allaman, Switzerland
DENMARK: The Supermoon over Copenhagen, Denmark. A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the time of year when the Moon is closest to the Earth
A blue moon is not named after the colour, but for the timing of full moons during the year.
The moon has also been called the green corn moon, the grain moon, and the red moon for the reddish colour it often takes on in the summer haze.
The supermoon means Earth’s satellite is closest to the planet.
During a supermoon, the moon appears up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter compared with when it is furthest away.
The term supermoon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 as either a new or full Moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth.
This will be the first of four consecutive supermoons this year, with the full moons in September and October virtually tied for the closest of the year.
The moon will rise at about 7.26pm, and the best time to catch a glimpse is when conditions are best suited to a clear sky.
This means low cloud cover, favourable weather and no obstructions on the horizon, such as buildings or trees.
JERUSALEM: The super moon rises behind the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusale
DUBAI: A look at the full moon as it rises over the city skyline with world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
MOSCOW: A supermoon rises over a residential building in Moscow, Russia. This will be the first of four consecutive supermoons this year
TURKEY: Super moon rises behind trees’ leaves in Gaziantep, Turkiye. The best time to catch a glimpse is when conditions are best suited to a clear sky.
GREECE: The first Supermoon of the year, also known as the Sturgeon Moon, rises over the castle of Palamidi in Nafplio, Peloponnese, Greece
GREECE: The Sturgeon Moon rises over Nafplio, Peloponnese, Greece. The term supermoon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979
ISTANBUL: The phenomenal moon rises behind the Camlica mosque and Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey
Magnificent pictures from Turkey captured it looming over the 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
Closer to home, it rose above the medieval ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland – with British astronomers set for another one last night.
The vivid glow is believed to have been caused by wild fires in North America as smoke particles diffused across the Atlantic, scattering the light in such a way that the moon appeared more crimson.
But the colour will fade this week as cloud and rain moves in, clearing the haze from the atmosphere.
The next blue moon – defined not by its colour but the timing of full moons during the year – will be in May 2026.
