Rare super blue moon fever around the Middle East

Saudi Arabia's sky is decorated with a giant blue moon. (SPA/X.com)

The "Blue Supermoon", the second full moon of a calendar month, rises in the city of Rabat on Aug. 30, 2023. (AFP)

A picture taken from the Israeli city of Rosh Haain shows the 'Blue Moon' rising over the West Bank, on Aug. 30, 2023. (AFP)

The Blue Moon, this year's biggest and brightest super moon, appears in Gaza's skies, in Khan Younis. (REUTERS)

The 'Blue Moon' rises in the Gaza Strip sky as seen from the northern town of Beit Lahia on August 30, 2023. (AFP)

The "Blue Supermoon", the second full moon of a calendar month, rises behind Galata tower in Istanbul on August 30, 2023. (AFP)

The full moon rises beyond the Martyrs statue, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP)

Full moon rises behind the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. (REUTERS)

The 'Blue Moon' rises behind the Dubai skyline on August 30, 2023. (AFP)

Updated 31 August 2023 12:05

August 31, 2023 10:45

Lunar lovers have been treated to a rare blue supermoon - so rare the last time it happened was in 2009.

The phenomenon when there are 13 full moons instead of the usual 12.

But Wednesday night’s blue Moon was also a supermoon, which occurs when the moon appears brighter than usual as it lies at its closest point in its orbit around our planet.