PHOTOS: Brightest supermoon of the year rises over San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diegans were treated to an astronomical spectacle as a supermoon illuminated the sky this week throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

The moon officially turned full Thursday morning around 4:26 a.m. On Wednesday around 5:48 p.m., the moon had reached its perigee, or closest point to Earth — about 221,938 miles away. When a full moon coincides with its perigee, it becomes a “supermoon.”

Also known as the Hunter’s Moon, it is the third of four consecutive supermoons and also the brightest, according to NASA .

This week, the supermoon also happened simultaneously with another event to delight stargazers.

The comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was visible earlier this week in San Diego County and is continuing its trek through the skies of the Northern Hemisphere.

According to NASA, the comet — pronounced Choo-cheen-shahn — may be visible to the naked eye across the Northern Hemisphere for several weeks in October. The best opportunity to spot the comet will be from now until Oct. 26. It is not expected to be seen for another 80,000 years, according to experts .

The last supermoon of the year is expected to be on Friday, Nov. 15 around 1:29 p.m., according to NASA.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.