“Four Moons” Shock St. Petersburg as Rare Moon Dogs Illuminate the Night Sky

Post by : Saif Nasser

St. Petersburg’s night sky became the center of global attention after a rare and visually stunning phenomenon, commonly known as moon dogs, appeared alongside the full Moon. The event created the illusion of four bright moons shining at once, leaving residents, photographers, and skywatchers in awe.

Moon dogs, also called paraselenae, are caused when moonlight passes through ice crystals suspended in high-altitude cirrus clouds. These tiny, hexagonal ice crystals bend and reflect the light, forming bright spots on either side of the Moon. Under perfect atmospheric conditions, additional reflections and halos can appear, making it seem as if multiple moons are present in the sky.

On this particular night, cold winter temperatures and clear upper-atmospheric conditions over St. Petersburg combined to create an exceptionally vivid display. Photos and videos shared on social media quickly went viral, with many viewers initially believing the images were digitally altered. Astronomers later confirmed that the phenomenon was entirely natural and extremely rare to witness so clearly.

Such events have been observed throughout history and were often interpreted as omens or supernatural signs in ancient times. Today, scientists explain them through atmospheric optics, emphasizing how light interacts with ice crystals rather than celestial bodies multiplying in space.

While the illusion lasted only a short time, it left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. Experts say similar displays can occur in very cold regions during winter, but spotting multiple moon dogs at once remains uncommon, making the St. Petersburg sighting especially remarkable.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It describes a natural atmospheric phenomenon and does not imply any astronomical anomaly or supernatural event. Visual appearances may vary depending on weather conditions and individual perspective.

0