So last night the moon was the closest it has been in years. And we had a double showing of the full moon in January which was unique. The other Supermoon was on New Year's Day. As I've browsed the internet for photos I came up with a handful that I think show the wonderful contrast between the moon rising and the horizon. I have tried to give credit to the photographers where I could clearly see who had taken the photo and was able to credit them for it. Below is my favourite from last night taken in Istanbul, Turkey by Chris McGrath.
A second which was almost more spectacular was taken in the same place by Yasin Akgul. The buildings and moon are in better focus but there is something about the misty atmospheric mosque in the first shot above that is haunting. And that lone black bird ...! I love it.
This third shot is so amazing that it had to be taken with a special camera and I don't think it was taken last night. It would have been my favourite but it's just too perfect and requires a special lens to capture the detail of the moon's surface. I have no idea when or where it was taken or who took it, sorry.
My next photo was taken on New Years day of the moon rising over Glastonbury Tor. I love the angle this was taken from, the silhouette of figures walking back down the hill, the cold winter light. Again, I'm sorry, I have no idea who took this photo.
This next shot was taken of the moon rising above the Acropolis in Athens last night. It is credited to AP. The red of the moon and the size of it is incredible.
The next shot is credited to Getty Images and shows the moon rising alongside St Pauls in London.
But I think I prefer this photo of the moon rising over London credited to AP.
I like the contrast between the harsh edge of this apartment block in Perth Western Australia and the huge size of the moon. This photo is credited to Richard Wainwright.
Another magical one taken in Myanmar on New Years day this year. Sorry I have no idea who took this. The colours of gold, dusty lilac and orange pink are gorgeous.
This one is slightly fuzzy but there is something special about it. I think it's the dogs and the man leaning on a walking stick, could be a shepherd or just someone out for a walk with the dogs. Taken yesterday in Michmoret, Israel credited to AP.
And a shot taken of a runner with the moon rising on the horizon. I don't know when or where, possibly somewhere Spanish speaking?
Below, Napier New Zealand. One of the first places to see the super blue moon rise. Photo credited to Kerry Marshall.
Isn't it amazing how we can now view the whole thing from every corner of the word and share it online in real time. The super moon seen from the cold winter in the Northern hemisphere to the hot summer images of the Southern hemisphere.
Back to the Northern Hemisphere and England. Below, a photo taken on New Years day, the super moon rising behind Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire.
This final shot above was just labelled Cold Moon. I have no idea who took it, where it is or when? (Let me know if you have any insight.)
So those were a few photos taken of the 2 Supermoons that we have enjoyed this January. I'm glad I got to see it last night. I didn't get a photo as I was driving when I caught sight of it rising over Surrey, a huge glowing silver ball. It did look something like the picture above. A cold winter night. Magical.