A rare 'Blue Moon' has appeared in the night sky over Britain, giving stargazers in cloud-free spots a heavenly treat.
The term refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month. It is only the third Blue Moon in more than two years and the next chance to see one will be in 2015.
However, and despite its name, it is not expected to be blue in colour.
According to Nasa: "Most Blue Moons look pale grey and white, indistinguishable from any other moon you've ever seen. Squeezing a second full moon into a calendar month doesn't change the physical properties of the Moon itself, so its colour remains the same."
Fittingly, the full moon graced the skies on the same day as the private service for Neil Armstrong , the first man on the moon, who died last weekend, aged 82.
Those living in the eastern areas of England, particularly East Anglia and the South East, were expected to be best placed to see the moon through the first part of the night, before it clouded over.
Wales and south-west England residents hoped to catch a sight of the moon later, as the cloud started to clear.
The Republic of Ireland has been expected to have clear spells throughout the night.
Sky weather producer Joanna Robinson, said: "On Thursday night there was hardly a cloud in the sky, which allowed some parts of Britain to have their coldest August night on record.
"On Friday, there was more in the way of cloud so not everyone could get a glimpse of the Blue Moon, but it does mean it won't be as cold for anyone outside having a look."
Used colloquially to mean a rare or seldom event, the term "once in a Blue Moon" was coined by amateur astronomer James Hugh Pruett in the March 1946 edition of Sky and Telescope magazine.
He wrote: "Seven times in 19 years there were, and still are, 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon."
Harvard University astronomer Avi Loeb said the event is most exciting to lovers of literature and folklore, with the Blue Moon traditionally symbolising unrequited love - and melancholy.
