Stunning pictures have captured the rare blue supermoon over the UK and other locations throughout the world.

The moon appeared larger than usual as it shone in the night sky on Wednesday night, peaking around 2.35am on Thursday in the UK.

While the moon is typically around 252,088 miles away at its furthest point from Earth, the supermoon was closer at 222,043 miles away, making it appear bigger in the sky.

Unlike its name suggests a blue moon is not named after the colour but instead refers to the second full moon in a calendar month.

Most months only have one full moon, so a second is a rare event, occurring approximately once every two or three years.

Read more:
Everything you need to know about this week’s rare blue supermoon

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The blue supermoon over Edinburgh

A plane passes the super blue moon in London
People view the super blue moon as they travel in a IFS Cloud Cable Car at Greenwich
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People view the blue supermoon as they travel in a IFS Cloud Cable Car at Greenwich, London

The super blue moon over the city of London seen from Primrose Hill
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The view over London seen from Primrose Hill

The super blue moon rising over the Penshaw Monument in Sunderland
The super blue moon over the South Shields Pier Lighthouse in Newcastle. Pic: AP
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The blue supermoon over the South Shields Pier Lighthouse in Newcastle. Pic: AP

The super blue moon rises behind the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey
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The blue supermoon behind the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey

The super blue moon behind Temple of Poseidon near Athens, Greece
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The Temple of Poseidon near Athens, Greece

The super blue moon behind St Basil's Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. Pic: AP
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St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. Pic: AP

A seagull stands on a lamp post during the super blue moon in Cape Town, South Africa
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A seagull stands on a lamp post during the blue supermoon in Cape Town, South Africa