Breathtaking pictures have captured the moment a rare August supermoon rose to the sky over Ely Cathedral. 

The first of 2024's four consecutive supermoons, the blue moon - also known as a Sturgeon Moon - was expected to reach peak illumination on August 19 through until Wednesday. 

A supermoon is when a full moon is closest to the Earth, appearing bigger and brighter than normal - up to 15 per cent brighter and 30 per cent bigger than regular full Moons.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit, a point known as perigee. 

Here are photos of the rare phenomenon captured in Ely: 

The first of 2024's four consecutive supermoons, the blue moon was expected to reach peak illumination on August 19 through until Wednesday. The first of 2024's four consecutive supermoons, the blue moon was expected to reach peak illumination on August 19 through until Wednesday.  (Image: Veronica in The Fens)

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit.A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. (Image: Veronica in The Fens)

A so-called Blue Moon has nothing to do with the Moon's colour.A so-called Blue Moon has nothing to do with the Moon's colour. (Image: Veronica in The Fens)