Blue supermoon: World gazes at rare lunar phenomenon

31 August 2023

News image — Birds could be seen flying during the blue supermoon in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Diego Vara/Reuters A view shows a full moon known as the 'Blue Moon' over de city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, August 30 — Birds could be seen flying during the blue supermoon in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Sky gazers around the world have been treated to a blue supermoon, which made a spectacular appearance for the first time since 2009.

A blue Moon occurs when the pattern of days in a year means there are 13 full Moons instead of the usual 12.

This blue Moon is also a supermoon - when the Earth's only natural satellite appears brighter than usual because it is at its closest point in its orbit around our planet.

But despite its name, the lunar phenomenon has nothing to do with colour - it gets its name because it does not fall in the usual scheme of named Moons.

The lunar spectacle is visible either on Wednesday or Thursday in different parts of the world.

Victoria Jones/PA Media A plane passes the super blue moon in London — A plane passes in front of the blue Moon in London

Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters A woman takes a picture of the moon — Spectators captured images of the Moon as it rose above Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Stelios Misinas/Reuters A full moon known as the "Blue Moon" rises behind the Temple of Poseidon, in Cape Sounion, near Athens, Greece, August 30 — In Greece, the blue supermoon delighted crowds that gathered at the ancient Temple of Poseidon, near Athens

Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images The moon rises behind the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore — People gathered at Marina Bay Sands as the Moon came into view in Singapore

Mikhail Serbin/Getty Images A rare Super Moon rises over the capital city on August 30, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. — Star gazers were able to enjoy a view of the Moon rising over the bright lights of Moscow, Russia

Scott Olson/Getty Images People gather along North Avenue Beach as a super blue moon rises on August 30, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois — People gathered along North Avenue Beach, as the Moon rose in Chicago

Abir Sultan/EPA Super Blue Moon rises above ancient fortress in Migdal Tsedek National Park near Rosh Haayin, Israel, 30 August — The Moon appeared to roll over an ancient fortress near the city of Rosh HaAyin in Israel

Owen Humphreys/PA Media The supermoon came into view over the stands during the first Vitality IT20 match at the Seat Unique Riverside in County Durham — The supermoon came into view over the stands during the first Vitality IT20 match at the Seat Unique Riverside in County Durham

David Talukdar/Getty Images Super Blue Moon rises over Guwahati city, on 30 August 2023 in Guwahati, Assam, India — The blue Moon created an abstract scene as it rose over Guwahati city in India

Majdi Fathi/Getty Images A Palestinian boy rides his bicycle looking at the moon the 'Blue Moon' in Beit Lahiya northern Gaza Strip on August 30, 2023 — The supermoon caught the attention of a Palestinian boy as he rode his bicycle in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip

Saqib Majeed/Getty Images he super Blue Moon rises in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir — Flowers are seen as the Moon rose over Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir

All photos subject to copyright.

Earth

Blue supermoon: World gazes at rare lunar phenomenon

This mushroom makes you see tiny humans

An Elizabethan mansion's secrets for staying warm

Mysterious 'iron bar' discovery in space may reveal Earth's future