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Photographers capture moon flanked by Jupiter and Venus in icy morning sky

Picture Space.com
Picture Space.com

Early risers were treated to an incredible celestial display this morning – as the crescent moon appeared flanked by two bright planets.

This morning’s crisp, clear air gave sky-watchers in Britain a perfect view of the moon flanked by Jupiter and Venus, looking like two stars.

The planet to the left of the moon is Venus, and to the right is Jupiter – the brightest objects in the night sky.

Across Britain and around the world, Twitter and Instagram users captured spectacular images of the ‘celestial parade’ early this morning.

The moon is in its waning gibbous phase, after a super blood wolf moon eclipse on Monday 21st January with the total eclipse giving the dawn sky a reddish tinge.

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The slightly alarming name is due to the combination of several different celestial phenomena.

First, it was wolf moon, a traditional name for full moons in winter.

But it was also a supermoon, where the moon is at its closest point to Earth. NASA says, ‘The full moon will also be at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, called perigee.

And it was a lunar eclipse, with the moon covered by Earth’s shadow and taking on a red glow – hence the name blood moon.

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