A supermoon lit up Australian skies on Tuesday night as it reached the closest point of its orbit to Earth.

The smoky haze lingering in Sydney skies meant the harbor city was treated to some of the most spectacular lunar views.

The same full Moon came at 1.32 pm Tuesday AEST but wasn’t visible in Australia until it rose on the eastern horizon at 5.33 pm.

WHY IS IT CALLED THE PINK MOON?

Although we wish this name had to do with the Moon’s color, the reality is not quite as mystical or awe-inspiring. 

In truth, April’s full Moon often corresponded with the early springtime blooms of a particular wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata—commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox—which also went by the name “moss pink.” 

Thanks to this seasonal association, this full Moon came to be called the “Pink” Moon!

Astronomical Society of Victoria vice president Perry Vlahos said while the supermoon can be viewed all over Melbourne, those in the west may get a clearer view.

“A good vantage point is the west side of Port Phillip Bay, such as Williamstown,” he said.

Mr. Vlahos said the best time to view the supermoon is at sunset when the full moon rises.

“The moon can only be full when it’s opposite the sun in the sky,” he said.

The next supermoon, a “blood moon,” is on May 26 and will be slightly closer to the Earth. There will be a total lunar eclipse that night as the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow, expected to be visible from all of New Zealand and most of Australia.