Snow Moon: The best photographs of the second full moon of 2021

‘That’s no moon...’

Clear skies over the UK provided the perfect opportunity for photographers of all skills and sizes to take pictures of the so-called Snow Moon.

The results were often spectacular, with many enthusiastic operators of cameras (and naked eyeballs) remarking how bright the earth’s natural satellite appeared.

One of the most popular, taken by PA photographer Peter Byrne, showed the full moon rising behind Rivington Pike near Bolton in Greater Manchester.

It takes advantage of a mysterious optical effect where the full moon appears larger when it is close to the horizon.

Others combined the moon with passing birds and planes, although disappointingly not superheroes wearing capes.

The snow moon rises behind Rivington Pike near Bolton, Greater Manchester. (PA)

The full moon in the night sky over London on 26 February (Getty Images)

Shawn Griffith, of South Port, Maine, watches the “snow moon” rise in clear skies over Penobscot Bay (AP)

BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth posted her photo, complete with added wings, with the comment: “I need more practice (and a proper camera)”. She awarded her personal “full moon prize” to a video of a flock of birds swooping over Eastbourne Pier.

Some Twitter users took the opportunity to make a pun on “snow moon” by posting a clip from Star Wars. As the Luke Skywalker and his companions approach the Death Star, Obi Wan Kenobi says: “That’s no moon... it’s a space station.”

The Snow Moon, as it is known in the northern hemisphere, is the second full moon of 2021 and typically symbolises the beginning of spring.

It will reach its peak fullness at 8.17am GMT on Saturday but will still appear full on Saturday night, unless obscured by a band of cloud across northern England.