PHOTOS: World gazes in wonder at rare ‘full super blue moon’

Millions of moon lovers worldwide watched the skies as the “full super blue moon” rose Wednesday night.

As the saying goes, it happens once in a blue moon, and the last time there was a full super blue moon was in 2018. There will not be another event like this until Jan. 31, 2037, which will also be a blood moon — a total lunar eclipse.

See photos of this rare celestial wonder.

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The supermoon, blue moon, rises behind a thick layer of clouds near a statue of the angel Moroni perched atop The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Kensington, Md. The cosmic curtain rose Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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The August Super Blue Moon sets behind a historical building and the St. Basil’s Cathedral, right, as people walk in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. The cosmic curtain rises Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it is considered blue. It is dubbed a supermoon because it is closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 30: People gather along North Avenue Beach as a super blue moon rises on August 30, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The super blue moon is not expected to appear again until 2037. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 30: A full blue moon rises behind the Royal Liver Building and the Liver Bird statues on August 30, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. In addition to its “supermoon” status (its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit), this particular full moon will be the second to occur in the month of August, the first having occurred on August 1, thus named “blue moon”. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – AUGUST 30: A rare Super Blue Moon rises over Istanbul’s famous Galata Tower on August 30, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. The rare super moon is an occurrence which won’t happen again until 2037, the term “Blue Moon” does not refer to the color of the moon, but is the term used to signify the second full moon in a month. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

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A Super blue moon rises behind Marina Bay Sands observation deck in Singapore on August 31, 2023. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

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The ‘Super Blue Moon’ rises behind the Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick, York, Maine on August 30, 2023. .. Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat Wednesday night: a rare “super blue Moon” that won’t be seen again until 2037. Supermoons occur when the Moon passes through its perigee, or the point that takes it closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit. This makes it look about 14 percent bigger compared to when it is at its furthest point, and a touch brighter. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

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TOPSHOT – This picture taken on August 30, 2023 shows the third ‘super moon’ of 2023, the second of the month, also known as the “Super Blue Moon”, rising behind a windmill in Consuegra, Ciudad Real province. The “Super Blue Moon” that rises on August 30, 2023 is the unification of a supermoon and a Blue Moon. The term “Blue Moon” has nothing to do with color but refers to either two moons occurring in the same month (as in this case), or the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. A supermoon, meanwhile, refers to a full moon that occurs when it is closer to Earth in its orbit, resulting in a slightly larger and brighter appearance. Tonight’s “Super Blue Moon” will be the last one until 2037. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

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The full moon, called the Super Blue Moon rises over the skyline of London and Saint Paul’s Cathedral, on August 30, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)