Supermoon 2014 in pictures: Moon appeared bigger and brighter at the weekend

Magnificent scenes were observed across the world

Antonia Molloy
Monday 14 July 2014 08:35 BST
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The supermoon shines behind the castle of Somoskoujfalu in Hungary
The supermoon shines behind the castle of Somoskoujfalu in Hungary

People across the world cast their eyes to the heavens to witness a spectacular scientific phenomenon on Saturday night, as a supermoon lit up the night’s sky.

Technically known as a perigee moon, the marvel occurs when a full moon or new moon coincides with the closest approach the moon makes to the Earth on its elliptical orbit.

The result is that the world’s closet neighbour appears larger and brighter than usual – with breath-taking results.

In the UK stargazers were able to catch the moon at 11:25 (GMT) on Saturday evening, when it was just 222,611 miles away.

Nasa said that last year’s supermoon in June appeared 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than usual, but the effect was merely an optical illusion.

Two other supermoons will appear later this summer on 10 August and 9 September.

The August date is the most exciting for astronomical buffs, as the moon will be 863 miles closer than it was over the weekend, appearing at its brightest for 2014.

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