PICTURES: Dorset residents see rare harvest supermoon

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

The full moon this month, known as the harvest moon, is the second of four supermoons this year.

These photos from Graham Hunt were taken from the Portland Breakwater overlooking the bill.

The harvest supermoon overlooking Portland Breakwater (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) This photo of the moon overlooking Weymouth Harbour was sent in from Kathy Pask.

The supermoon overlooking Weymouth Harbour (Image: Kathy Pask) Fred Worth took this photo of the moon rising over Dorchester.

The harvest supermoon rising over Dorchester (Image: Fred Worth) Full supermoons occur when the orbit of the moon is at its closest point to the Earth in its orbit which is also known as its lunar perigee, giving the Moon a bigger and brighter appearance in the sky.

A full moon during perigee appears around 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than when it is furthest away from Earth.

The harvest moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs nearest to the autumn equinox, which this year occurs on 22 September.

Two more supermoons will occur this year, with a hunter moon in October, and a beaver moon in November.