On Monday, October 6, the first supermoon of 2025, known as the Harvest Moon, will illuminate the autumn sky. This notable full moon marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and traditionally signifies the end of the harvest season. The moon will officially reach its full phase at 11:47 p.m. EST (3:47 p.m. UTC on Tuesday, October 7), and it will be particularly radiant on the nights immediately surrounding this moment.
For optimal viewing, stargazers should look towards the eastern horizon at dusk, especially on Tuesday, where the full moon will rise. Those with a keen interest in astronomy might even catch a glimpse of the almost-full moon on Sunday, October 5, as it shines just above Saturn, which is at a relatively close distance to Earth.
The Harvest Moon gets its name based on its proximity to the September equinox, which occurred on September 22 this year. Folklore suggests that the moon provides ample light for farmers to continue harvesting crops late into the night, especially on the nights before and after the full moon. Traditionally seen in September, the lunar calendar designates October as the host for this year’s Harvest Moon.
To fully appreciate the celestial event, it’s best to find an elevated location with an unobstructed view of the east, where the moon’s golden-orange hue will be most prominent shortly after moonrise. Observers don’t need any special equipment to enjoy the spectacle, though binoculars can enhance the view by revealing lunar craters and the expansive dark plains known as mare on the moon’s surface.
This year’s Harvest Moon is special as it also qualifies as a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter than average due to its proximity to Earth, about 224,599 miles (361,457 kilometers) away—approximately 10% closer than the typical distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers). A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with its perigee, the point in its orbit when it’s closest to Earth. Interestingly, this supermoon will be at its largest appearance late at night on Wednesday, October 8, just days after it has reached full phase.
Adding to the excitement, the peak of the annual Draconid meteor shower happens around the same time, with expectations of up to 10 meteors visible per hour, although the brightness of the moon may obscure some of these shooting stars.
Looking ahead, October promises more astronomical wonders, including two comets—Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN R2 (C/2025 R2)—which will be making their closest approaches to Earth around the peak of the Orionid meteor shower on October 21-22. Following the Harvest Moon, the next full moon, called the Beaver Moon, is set to rise on November 5, marking the largest supermoon since 2019. This month is shaping up to be an exciting time for sky enthusiasts and casual observers alike, offering numerous opportunities to witness celestial phenomena.