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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Michael Howie

Why skies have turned red over the UK - as blue supermoon to make rare appearance

Skygazers in the UK have been treated to unusually vivid sunrises and sunsets over the weekend. 

Social media has been full of dazzling pictures of a red-hued Sun and Moon at dawn and dusk.

The spectacular displays have been caused smoke particles from wildfires in North America - carried thousands of miles by the jet stream to the skies above the British Isles. 

The smoke particles diffuse the sunlight making the sky appear more orange.

The unusual hues are expected to be visible again on Monday before the smoke in the upper atmosphere is dispersed by rain.

However skywatchers will be craning their necks upwards in the hope of spotting a rare blue supermoon over the UK. 

As is the case now, a blue moon refers to the third full moon in a season with four full moons.

The label is also used for the second full moon in a month with two full moons.

A supermoon appears brighter and bigger than usual because it has been brought closer to earth by the Moon's orbit.

The last time that happened over the UK was last August - and the next one is not due until 2037. 

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