Stunning sight of this year's only supermoon mesmerises sky-gazers across the world
Breathtaking photographs captured in brightened night skies across the world showed the first of three consecutive supermoons to occur this winter - and the only one this year.
Nasa described the incredible lunar sighting the first in a 'supermoon trilogy' over the next two months, with others to come on 1 January and 31 January
Last night's moon, dubbed the 'full cold moon', glowed behind historic national monuments and landmarks all over the world such as London's Shard and the Statue of Liberty in New York.
A supermoon was seen in front of a replica of the Statue of Liberty sitting atop the Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo, New York last night. Two more supermoons are expected to grace skies across the world again on 1 January and 31 January
The supermoon was seen shining brightly behind the Shard building in London this morning. Last night's moon appeared 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than usual as it lit up the sky
The vibrant supermoon was seen shining behind the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Nasa says the December sighting will be the third part of a trilogy this winter
The supermoon, dubbed the 'full cold moon', rose over the University of Notre Dame's main building yesterday evening in South Bend, Indiana
A plane was seen crossing in front of the so-called supermoon in Avondale Estates, Georgia. A supermoon describes a moon that is at its closest distance to the Earth with the moon appearing larger than usual
The 'supermoon trilogy' is shown in this graphic. For skygazers who missed last night's supermoon, they'll have two more chances to see them in January next year
The Cold Moon appeared 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than usual across the planet.
'Supermoons are a great opportunity for people to start looking at the moon, not just that once but every chance they have!' research scientist at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center, Noah Petro said.
The supermoon made its spectacular appearance over Britain, giving skygazers a treat as it moves closer to Earth.
Tom Kerss, an astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said the exact moment of full moon - when the moon sits opposite the sun in the sky, which was 3.47pm (10.47am ET) today in the United Kingdom.
He added: 'This year's Cold Moon is closer to us than the average full moon this year; close enough to qualify as a supermoon, according to the widely accepted definition.
The supermoon was seen shining brightly behind the Shard building in London this morning. This full moon was 222,761 miles from Earth, closer than its average 238,900 miles
December's full moon is traditionally known as the cold moon. It is pictured here behind the Shard in London during the early hours of this morning
The 'supermoon' was captured behind the US Capitol and the Jefferson Memorial on 3 December. The most recent supermoon was around a year ago on November 14, 2016
The moon, pictured here behind the US Capitol in Washington DC, was 222,761 miles (358,500km) from Earth, closer than the average distance of 238,900 miles (384,500km)
December's full moon - traditionally known as the Cold Moon - appeared 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than usual. It is seen over Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire
A supermoon was pictured in front of a replica of the Statue of Liberty in downtown Buffalo New York. The phenomenon happens when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth, known as a perigee Moon, and is also a full moon
Tom Kerss, an astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said the exact moment of full moon is when the moon sits opposite the sun in the sky. It is pictured over the Penshaw Monument near Sunderland yesterday evening
Astronomer Tom Kerss said: 'This year's Cold Moon is closer to us than the average full moon this year; close enough to qualify as a supermoon, according to the widely accepted definition'. Shown here is the supermoon in Warwickshire
The moon is seen behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda seen from Naypyitaw in Myanmar in Southeast Asia
The red-tinted moon appeared to sit on top of the Uppatasanti Pagoda yesterday
The moon is the first of three consecutive supermoons. It reached its peak brightness and size on Monday morning
A statue of The Buddha watches on as the supermoon rose above Yangon, in Myanmar, which is the largest city in the country
The moon was spotted behind a commuter train in Avondale Estates, Georgia. At some points it is about 5 per cent closer to Earth than average, known as perigee, and at others it is 5 per cent further away, known as apogee
For those wanting to see the Earth's natural satellite in greater detail, Mr Kerss advised using binoculars or a telescope and observing the dark maria - large, dark basaltic plains on the surface of the moon. Pictured is the moon next to the Shard
The moon is seen as it rises on December 3, 2017 in Washington. Nasa has called the sighting the first in a 'supermoon trilogy' over the next two months
An aircraft took off from Ronald Reagan National Airport and is seen passing in front of the moon as it rises in Washington yesterday
Although the moon is the biggest and closest it can be to us experts warn supermoons can often be underwhelming. The moon is pictured risingabove a suspension bridge in Yangon, Myanmar
The moon has a slightly elliptical orbit - it does not move round the Earth in a perfect circle.
At some points it is about 5 per cent closer to Earth than average, known as perigee, and at others it is 5 per cent further away, known as apogee.
The full moon will be 222,761 miles (358,500km) from Earth, closer than its average 238,900 miles (384,500km).
The supermoon is pictured setting over the church of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion at dawn in Olvera, near Cadiz, southern Spain
A person is seen walking along the 'Puente Nuevo' (New Bridge) as it is silhouetted against the supermoon in Ronda, southern Spain on 3 December
During the moon's closest pass by Earth, the moon was just 225,744 miles (36,3299 kilometres) away. The phenomenon is pictured rising above Naypyitaw, Myanmar yesterday
Traffic buzzes along a busy highway in Naypyitaw, the capitals of Myanmar, as the supermoon rose above the city yesterday
An orange-tinted supermoon beamed above in the skies of Yangon, Myanmar. Orange and red tints that the Sun and Moon sometimes take on are caused by the particles in the Earth's atmosphere
The supermoon is seen over a highway near Yangon yesterday. The lunar phenomenon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth
Fair-goers enjoyed a supermoon-lit Ferris wheel ride in Tokyo Japan. The moon has a slightly elliptical orbit - it does not move round the Earth in a perfect circle
A young child is seen looking out of the Ferris Wheel carriage at the huge-looking supermoon at a fairground yesterday in Tokyo, Japan
A supermoon 'Full Cold Moon' is pictured rising over downtown Los Angeles. The moon was visible from Earth with the naked eye, just as it always is
A supermoon is seen in Singapore. Lyle Tavernier, an expert at Nasa, said: 'Keep in mind that a 14 per cent increase in the apparent size of something that can be covered with a fingernail on an outstretched arm won't seem significantly bigger'
The supermoon was seen next to electric lines near Yangon. 'Comparing a supermoon with a typical full moon from memory is very difficult', said Dr Tavernier
The full moon is pictured behind Christmas lights in Marseille. As the moon orbits the Earth every month, there is a point in every cycle where the moon is closest (perigee) and a point where it's farthest away (apogee)
There is also a monthly lunar cycle where we can see varying amounts of the moon depending on it's position relative to Earth and the Sun. Pictured is the so-called supermoon behind a church steeple in Avondale Estates, US
The supermoon is seen behind plants on a balcony of a residential block in Hong Kong
Mr Kerss said: 'During moonrise and moonset, you might think the moon looks unusually large, but this is an illusion created in the mind when it appears close to the horizon.
'In fact, the change in the moon's apparent size throughout its orbit is imperceptible to the unaided eye.
'Nevertheless, the 'moon illusion' can be a dramatic effect, and with the moon rising so early, there will be ample opportunities to see its apparently huge face juxtaposed with the eastern skyline.'
With the moon being as close to Earth as it is, there is a significant impact on the tides.
When the moon is closest, the tide will be at its highest, and the same happens with a new or full moon.
This happens on a monthly basis, but occasionally the point of perigee aligns with a new or full moon and results in a 'perigean spring tide'.
These are particularly high tides that can influence the oceans and raise sea level by a number of inches.
The supermoon was seen shining brightly behind the Shard building in London this morning. With the moon being as close to Earth as it is, there is a significant impact on the tides
A picture of the supermoon taken in Thorpe Bay, Essex. When the moon is closest, the tide will be at its highest, and the same happens with a new or full moon
High tide happens on a monthly basis, but occasionally the point of perigee aligns with a new or full moon and results in a 'perigean spring tide'. A supermoon brightened the night sky over the southeastern city of Busan, South Korea
Perigean spring tides are particularly high tides that can influence the oceans and raise sea level by a number of inches. An airplane is seen crossing in front of the moon, a so-called supermoon, in Avondale Estates, Georgia
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