Stargazers had the chance to catch a glimpse of a rare supermoon in Dorset last night.

Photographers were out in force across the county on Sunday night hoping to capture a snap of the celestial event.

The true blue supermoon shone brightly with photographers from Dorchester, Corfe and beyond snapping the sight. 

John Young's supermoon photoJohn Young's supermoon photo (Image: John Young) John Young snapped this shot in Dorchester. 

What is a true blue supermoon and why is it rare?

A blue moon is the common name for having two full moons in a calendar month and the third full moon in an astronomical season of four.

A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time the Moon is full. This makes the true blue supermoon somewhat of a rarity- hence the saying 'once in a blue moon.'

This full Moon is the first of four consecutive super moons, the next appearing on September 18, October 17 and November 15. September's moon is set to coincide with a partial lunar eclipse making it another spectacle to behold.