A supermoon has been seen across the night sky in Southampton and across Hampshire.

A supermoon is visible only four times each year and occurs when the moon appears 30 per cent brighter and 14 per cent bigger in the night sky.

The supermoon was at its brightest on Tuesday night, with the celestial event coinciding with a partial lunar eclipse that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Earth’s shadow covered part of the moon, providing a treat for those who had stayed up to watch.

Also known as a harvest moon due to its unique brightness – the second of four supermoons expected this year – the harvest moon gets its name due from occurring nearest to the autumn equinox enabling farmers to work late into the night and allowing them to bring in crops from the fields.

READ MORE: Five things all Southampton youngsters did in the 1990s

Photos taken in Southampton, Eastleigh, and Fareham show the moon illuminating the night sky and appearing closer than normal, with the moon at its closest point to Earth in its orbit.

Supermoons are also expected to be visible in October and November.

A hunter moon will be visible in October, the next full moon after September’s harvest moon.

November will see the last supermoon of the year, representing the first full moon of the month.

We've gathered some of the best photos of the harvest moon from members of our camera club - click through the gallery above to view them all.