Summary

  • The Moon is appearing bigger and brighter than usual tonight

  • It's because it's near the closest point in its orbit around Earth - making it a supermoon

  • And it's also a blue moon, so-called because there are 13 full Moons in this yearly cycle rather than 12

  • But it's blue in name only - it won't look blue

  • There won't be another blue supermoon until 2037

  • We'll be bringing you all the best images from around the world - from professional photographers and from our readers

Live Reporting

Edited by Emma Owen and Gabriela Pomeroy

  1. Time to say goodnight

    Emma Owen
    Live reporter

    Well that was something of a visual feast. We've thoroughly enjoyed looking at all these beautiful pictures, and we hope you have too.

    We're not in a position to hand out any prizes or special accolades, but a big thank you to everyone for sending in their images.

    Gabriella and I are finishing up now, and my colleagues on the night shift will be updating the picture gallery - you can find it here.

    I'm off now to try and catch a glimpse of Moon myself.

    One more you say?

    Go on then - here it is lighting up the Padrao dos Descobrimentos monument in Lisbon.

    Fabulous.

    Padrao do Descobrimentos with the blue supermoon behind it.REX/Shutterstock

  2. A few more from our Weather Watchers

    We're finishing up here shortly, but there's just time for a few more of your snaps:

    Trees in front of MoonScotslass

    Dunollie, Argyll and Bute

    The Moon over BaxterleyJack March

    Baxterley, Warwickshire

    The MoonRachael Walton

    Oldham, Greater Manchester

    The Moon over ObanJuniper Berry

    Oban, Argyll and Bute

  3. More pictures from across the UK

    As the night goes on we're seeing more and more photos coming in from you. Here are some of our favourites sent in by BBC Weather Watchers.

    South ShieldsJohn Fatkin

    South Shields

    NorthumberlandEta

    Northumberland

    North Woolwich, Greater London@AJBC_1

    North Woolwich, Greater London

  4. Good news - the big telescope is for EVERYONE

    We showed you a picture of a giant telescope in Jakarta earlier. We didn't know much about it.

    But now a long queue has formed to look through it - with some finding it easier than others.

    People queuing for big telescope in JakartaGetty Images
    Boy looking through giant telescpe in Jakartaget

  5. A good view for people on London's cable car

    Hovering over the River Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, passengers were treated to a very special sight tonight.

    London cable car with Moon behindPA Media

  6. We asked... and you sent. Thank you!

    People all over the UK have been sending us photos this evening - here are a few of the best.

    We'll try and get some more out before the sun comes up, we promise.

    Fareham, HampshireYen Milne

    The Moon's not blue in Hampshire, it's red

    Brightlingsea, EssexStephenjuk

    And yellow in Brightlingsea, Essex

    Gosport, Hampshireziggy101

    And the colour of cheese in Gosport, Hampshire

  7. How best to see the blue supermoon

    No special equipment is needed to see the Moon of course - it's just a case of looking at the sky!

    Nevertheless, astronomer Royal for Scotland Catherine Heymans has a few tips - including when the best time will be.

  8. Bright skies over London

    Looks like the wait in Primrose Hill wasn't in vain - the Moon has appeared from behind the clouds for a time in London this evening.

    Moon over LondonPA Media

  9. Belgrade's Pobednik monument is glowing

    The "Blue Supermoon", the second full moon of a calendar month, rises behind the landmark monument 'The Victor' ('Pobednik' in Serbian) in Belgrade on August 30, 2023Getty Images

    Pobednik, or The Victor, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Belgrade.

  10. A fabulous sight in Edinburgh

    What more can we say? It just looks... lovely.

    EdinburghPA Media

  11. Now that's what I call a telescope

    This astronomer in Jakarta is taking no chances.

    Astronomer watches at the full moon known as the ''Blue Moon'' through an astronomical telescope as it rises over Taman Ismail Marzuki, in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 30, 2023.Getty Images

  12. Another shot of the Greek islands

    Looks like we have a lot of readers in Greece tonight - this picture comes from Bill, who's on the island of Meganisi.

    Two women wrapped in towels looking at the MoonBill

  13. Glorious image of Bridlington beach

    England's east coast looks very inviting this evening.

    Thanks to Katie for sending this one in.

    Shot of the moon over Bridlington beachKatie

  14. Moon looms behind Istanbul's famous landmarks

    Istanbul's Galata Tower and Hagia Sofia mosque are reflected here in the light of the moon.

    Galata Tower in IstanbulReuters
    Hagia Sofia, IstanbulReuters

  15. A reminder of how to send us your pictures

    If you've managed to spot the supermoon and would like to share your experience with us you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

    Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

  16. The science bit - why it’s called a blue supermoon

    Georgina Rannard
    BBC News

    A full Moon generally occurs once a month, meaning that an average year has 12.

    But the phases of the Moon actually take 29.5 days to complete, or 354 days for 12 cycles.

    That falls short of the 365/366 days in a calendar year, so roughly every two and half years, a 13th full Moon is seen.

    It is thought that the rarity is where the phrase "once in a blue Moon" may come from.

    The last blue Moon was in August 2021 and the next one will be in 2026.

    But the combination of a blue Moon and super Moon is much rarer and we will have to wait until 2037 to see it again.

  17. Dancing in the moonlight in Mumbai

    Coconut Festival, at Manori beach in MumbaiEPA
    Coconut Festival, at Manori beach in MumbaiEPA

    For many, the full Moon is reason enough to celebrate. But in Mumbai, some people have more reason than others.

    Narali Purnima is an auspicious day observed by the Hindu fishing community.

    They mark it by dancing, and offering coconut to Varuna, the Hindu deity of ocean and water, in order to seek blessings from him.

  18. A beautiful smooth sea in the Greek islands

    Thanks to Susan, one of our readers in Greece tonight, who sent this picture of the Moon making for a sparkling Ionian Sea in Kefalonia.

    Moon lighting up sea in KefaloniaSusan Braud

  19. Hopeful crowd gathers in London

    People gather on Primrose Hill in London in the hope of watching the super blue moon rise over the cityPA Media

    There's quite a big group sitting on Primrose Hill - one of the city's high points that offers a lovely view of the capital, Moon or no Moon.

    People, if you see something - send us a snap!

  20. Wow. Just, wow.

    Here it is again, lighting up the Temple of Apollo in Greece.

    The "Blue Supermoon", the second full moon of a calendar month, rises above the Apollo Temple in ancient Corinth, on August 30, 2023.Getty Images