In pictures: North East skygazers capture blue supermoon

Dan Monk Moon over Bamburgh CastleDan Monk
Photographers captured images of the moon across the North East

The blue supermoon - a rare spectacle not to be seen again until 2037 - has lit up skies across the North East.

Skygazers around the world were treated to the phenomenon, which made a spectacular appearance for the first time since 2009.

A blue Moon occurs when the pattern of days in a year means there are 13 full Moons instead of the usual 12.

The lunar spectacle was visible either on Wednesday or Thursday in different parts of the world.

Jayne Dickinson Supermoon over Whitley Bay at St Mary’s lighthouseJayne Dickinson
The rare spectacle will not to be seen again until 2037

This blue Moon is also a supermoon - when the Earth's only natural satellite appears brighter than usual because it is at its closest point in its orbit around our planet.

But despite its name, it has nothing to do with colour - it gets its name because it does not fall in the usual scheme of named Moons.

David Watson Blue supermoon, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NorthumberlandDavid Watson
Brian Avery Blue supermoon, Seaton SluiceBrian Avery
Ross Johnston Blue supermoon, SunderlandRoss Johnston
Simon Mccabe  Moon over The Groyne, South ShieldsSimon Mccabe
BBC Presentational grey line

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].