The biggest and brightest supermoon since 1948 appeared on the evening of Nov 14, providing a spectacular opportunity for observers and photographers.

The moon was exceptionally bright in Harbin, Heilongjiang province after a snowfall on Nov 14.

The moon, as seen over Songhuajiang Lake in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on the evening of Nov 14 inspired amateur astronomers and photographers across China. [Photo/dbw.cn]

As the moon orbits Earth in an elliptical pattern, it appears to be larger than usual each time it approaches a certain point closer to the Earth. This year, there will be a total of six “supermoons,” throughout October, November and December.

According to NASA's website, a full moon cannot be seen this close again until Nov 25, 2034.

The moon arrived at its closest point on Nov 14 at 7:21 pm and became full at 9:52 pm, appearing 15 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual, attracting amateur astronomers and photographers to observe the phenomenon.

Experts noted that supermoons occur frequently.

"The moon orbits around Earth 13 times a year, so technically we can have 13 supermoons a year," said Chen Xuelei, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The moon's nearest point to Earth ranges from 350,000 to 370,000 kilometers due to orbital variation.

Wang Junjie, another researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories, said the apparent change of the moon's size and brightness may be hard to observe with the naked eye, however, “full moons occurring on the lunar perigee (the closest point to Earth) seem extra big and bright".