Catch the Spectacular October 2025 Supermoon and Shooting Stars: Your Ultimate Guide to the Harvest Moon Experience!

On Monday, October 6, 2025, the sky will showcase its first supermoon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon. This full moon marks the onset of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and signifies the end of the harvest season.

The moon will reach its peak fullness at 11:47 p.m. EST, appearing bright and large on the nights leading up to and following this moment. Tuesday evening will be prime time to catch a glimpse of its bright glow rising on the eastern horizon. Don’t miss the almost-full moon on Sunday, October 5, where it will shine near the planet Saturn.

Historically, the Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox, which occurred on September 22 this year. Farmers traditionally relied on its light to extend their working hours, gathering crops well into the night. While September often holds this title, in 2025, the moon graces October.

For the best views, find a high spot with a clear line of sight to the east. The moon will glow a golden-orange, especially vivid during the first 15 to 20 minutes after it rises. While the naked eye is sufficient, binoculars can enhance the view, revealing the moon’s craters and dark plains called mare.

This year’s Harvest Moon isn’t just any full moon. It’s a supermoon, appearing about 10% larger and brighter because it will be around 224,599 miles (361,457 km) from Earth, compared to the average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 km). The supermoon phenomenon occurs due to the moon’s elliptical orbit, bringing it closer at times (perigee) and farther at others (apogee).

Interestingly, the Harvest Moon will hit its closest point just 1.3 days after becoming full, so it will seem largest late at night on Wednesday, October 8. This date coincides with the peak of the Draconid meteor shower, where you might see up to 10 meteors an hour—although the brightness of the moon might make spotting them a bit tricky.

October will be bustling with celestial events, not just the supermoon. On October 21-22, two comets, Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN R2 (C/2025 R2), are expected to approach Earth, right in time for the Orionid meteor shower.

Looking ahead, expect the Beaver Moon on November 5, which will be the largest supermoon since 2019, offering another chance for spectacular skywatching.

For more detailed moon facts, check out NASA’s lunar information. Happy moon gazing!

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