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Sturgeon Moon: Photographers in England capture full Moon pictures

Michael Platten Sturgeon Moon Wollaton, NottinghamMichael Platten
The full Moon was captured rising over Wollaton Hall, once used as a location in a Batman movie

Skies were lit up across the country as the bright Sturgeon Moon rose on Thursday night.

Clear August skies meant the glowing full Moon was captured in all its glory, making for some spectacular shots.

Graham Wiffem Sturgeon Moon in the Isle of WightGraham Wiffem
A beautiful shot over the Needles on the Isle of Wight
Gary Gimmick Sturgeon Moon in Heworth, North YorkshireGary Gimmick
The Sturgeon Moon was visible in the blue sky above Heworth, in North Yorkshire

The National Space Centre said it did not consider the Sturgeon Moon to be close enough to the Earth to be called a "supermoon".

Although there is no official definition, it said supermoons must be closer than 360,000km, but last night's, which peaked at 02:36 BST, was 361,408km away.

Much closer than the average Earth-Moon distance, but not quite close enough.

Tim Cornbill Sturgeon Moon in BirminghamTim Cornbill
An aeroplane in Birmingham got a closer look at the Sturgeon Moon
Paul Briggs Sturgeon Moon in Beacon Hill, LeicestershirePaul Briggs
The Sturgeon Moon seen from Beacon Hill, Leicestershire

However, Dhara Patel, an expert at the National Space Centre, said not everyone would agree.

She said: "Different groups have come up with different rules surrounding what constitutes a supermoon.

"In one broad sense, the Moon is considered to be a supermoon if the Moon is within 90% of its closest distance at the exact moment of full Moon.

"In another sense, some use the definition that when the Moon is within 360,000km of the Earth at the time of full Moon or new Moon.

"In the strictest sense, a supermoon is the single closest new Moon and full Moon of the year, so by that definition there can only be two a year."

The National Space Centre compared the debate to another about whether private trips to space, like ones taken by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, make them astronauts or space tourists.

PA Media The Sturgeon Moon over Dunstanburgh Castle in NorthumberlandPA Media
The Moon was seen glowing behind Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland

Full Moons occur every 29.5 days when the Moon is directly opposite to the Sun.

Robert Smith Dovercourt Lighthouse in EssexRobert Smith
The Moon peaking behind Dovercourt Lighthouse in Essex
Meryn Woodland Sturgeon Moon in Selsey West SussexMeryn Woodland
The Sturgeon Moon over Selsey, West Sussex

The full Moon in August was named the Sturgeon Moon by Native American fishing tribes, due to there being an abundance of the fish at that time of year.

The Royal Museums Greenwich said it had also been called the green corn Moon, the grain Moon, and the red Moon, due to the reddish appearance it often has.

Mark Thompson Sturgeon Moon in HullMark Thompson
Behind the lights of Hull, East Yorkshire
Riley Halls Sturgeon Moon in Belper, DerbyshireRiley Halls
Lighting up the sky above Belper, Derbyshire

The next full Moon will be on 10 September and called the Harvest Moon after the time farmers would start to gather crops.

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