St. Petersburg Sees Rare 'Four Moons' Phenomenon Called Paraselene
February 2, 2026
On a cold winter night, people in St. Petersburg, Russia, spotted something amazing in the sky. There appeared to be 'four moons' shining above the horizon. This strange but beautiful sight is called a paraselene or 'Mock Moon.' Experts say this happens when moonlight passes through tiny ice crystals high in the clouds. These crystals bend the light and create bright spots on either side of the Moon. Normally, these 'mock moons' are faint and hard to see, but the conditions were just right this time. The ice crystals were wobbling, making the bright spots taller and easier to spot. People captured this ghostly light show on their phones and shared it online. One observer said, "It looks like something out of a dream." The eerie but lovely sight caused many to pause and enjoy the rare moment. NASA explains these extra moons appear about 22 degrees from the real Moon and require clear skies, perfect angles, and luck to see. This unique display was a spectacular reminder of nature's surprising wonders.
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Tags:
Paraselene
Mock Moon
St. Petersburg
Moonlight
Ice Crystals
Atmospheric Phenomenon
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