Last night, a full moon lit up the sky above Moscow, creating a spectacular sight that attracted the attention of photographers and astronomy enthusiasts.
A rare astronomical phenomenon, known as the “Blue Moon”, appeared above the Picturesque Bridge, one of the recognizable symbols of the Russian capital. Photos released by Reuters show a large full moon rising above the Moscow River, creating an impressive contrast in the night sky.
Although the name “Blue Moon” may suggest a color, it is a phenomenon that has no direct relation to the appearance of the Moon. In astronomy, this term is most often used for rare situations when two full moons appear in one calendar month.
Less often, the same name is used to describe atmospheric phenomena that can give the Moon a slight bluish tint, most often as a result of large fires or volcanic eruptions.
A calendar “Blue Moon” occurs approximately once every two to three years, as a result of a mismatch between lunar cycles and calendar months.
