'Supermoon' lights up sky around the world

A "supermoon" is seen behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro Credit: PA

A "supermoon" lit up the skies last night, with the satellite appearing in its biggest and brightest form this year.

The phenomenon, known as a perigee full moon, will cause higher tides as it reaches its closest point to Earth.

Last night the moon could have appeared up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than when it is farthest from the planet

The full moon rises behind Statue of Liberty replica atop of a hotel in Kosovo's capital Pristina last night Credit: PA

The full moon rises behind a steeple with a cross of Ayia Thekla (Saint Thekla) christian orthodox church Cyprus. Credit: PA

At its closest point, it was around 356,400 km away - compared to an average distance of around 384,000 km.

The full moon rises behind a steeple with crosses of an Orthodox church in the town of Novogrudok, west of Minsk, Belarus Credit: PA

The Moon's distance from Earth varies because it follows an elliptical orbit rather than a circular

The moon's elliptical orbit is the cause of the larger brighter moon Credit: NASA