LONDON -- On Monday night, as crowds gathered to celebrate the summer solstice -- the longest day of the year -- something pretty rare occurred. In fact, this once-a-year phenomenon was upstaged by a nearly once-in-a-lifetime event.
For the first time since 1967, the summer solstice coincided with a full moon; or a "strawberry moon." And, according to astronomers, the full moon won't appear again on the solstice until 2062. So, it'll be a bit of a wait -- 46 years, to be precise.
SEE ALSO:Crowds gather to see summer solstice sunrise at StonehengeDespite its name, a strawberry moon doesn't bear any resemblance to a strawberry. A strawberry moon refers to a full moon that occurs in the month of June, and it was given its name by Algonquin tribes in North America as it marks the start of strawberry picking season.
Here are some of the most striking photos of the strawberry moon occurring during this year's summer solstice.
The strawberry moon was spotted hovering above London on Monday night.
A strawberry moon over London marking the summer solstice.Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
A strawberry moon hovers above London.Credit: Stefan Rousseau/ PA Wire/Press Association ImagesSome captured photos of the moon in Merseyside in the north of England.
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The moon looked pretty spectacular as it rose behind Glastonbury Tor in southwest England.
A full moon rises behind Glastonbury Tor as people gather to celebrate the summer solstice on June 20, 2016 in Somerset, England.Credit: Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesThe moon appeared to have an amber glow to it as it rose in the sky about Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire.
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And people captured the rare sight on the Northumberland coastline.
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