In pictures: Blue supermoon lights up sky around the world

Date:

Photographers from around the world have been busy capturing a lunar lightshow – the blue supermoon.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon rises during its closest point in its orbit to Earth.

A blue moon is even rarer, happening when there are two full moons within a single calendar month or four full moons within a season.

It happens once every two to three years – that’s where the saying “once in a blue moon” comes from.

The dust from wildfires in North America may give the moon a red glow; blue moons aren’t actually blue.

Image:
The supermoon seen from Friston in East Sussex. Pic: Barry Collins

Pic: Barry Collins
Image:
Pic: Barry Collins

During a supermoon, the moon appears up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter compared with when it is furthest away.

The moon seen over Istanbul's historical Galata Tower. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The moon seen over Istanbul’s historical Galata Tower. Pic: Reuters

From Paris. Pic: Reuters
Image:
From Paris. Pic: Reuters

After this supermoon, the next will be on 18 September, followed by 17 October and then finishing with a final supermoon on 15 November.

From Dortmund, in Germany. Pic: Reuters
Image:
From Dortmund, in Germany. Pic: Reuters

Read more from Sky News:
Mike Lynch’s co-defendant dies days before yacht sinking
Triple Olympic medallist defects from Australia to Britain

While Monday’s blue supermoon is rare, September’s coincides with a partial lunar eclipse – another sight worth watching out for.

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.

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

Mark Davis was so delighted about the Raiders’ win even though it likely ruined their NFL Draft position

By winning 19-14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday,...

Week 16 Pulse Check: Unlikely heroes emerging in the fantasy football playoffs, but will it continue?

It’s nearly time for championship week! We’re done looking...

What we learned as Kings hit rock bottom with huge loss to Pacers

What we learned as Kings hit rock bottom with...