On the evening of October 6, 2025, skywatchers across the globe were treated to a luminous spectacle as October’s supermoon — the first of three such celestial events to grace the year — rose above city skylines, historic landmarks, and tranquil countryside alike. Known as the Harvest Moon, this supermoon’s arrival marked the beginning of a rare astronomical trio, captivating both seasoned astronomers and casual observers with its remarkable brightness and size.
According to Reuters and The Associated Press, the supermoon phenomenon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth, a position astronomers call perigee. This proximity makes the moon appear noticeably larger and brighter than during a typical full moon — an effect that’s subtle but certainly discernible to the naked eye, especially if the sky is clear. No telescopes or special equipment are needed; just a moment to look up and marvel.
What made this particular supermoon even more special was its timing and visibility. The Harvest Moon, as it’s traditionally called, is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. It’s a name steeped in agricultural history, once signaling to farmers that it was time to gather crops by the light of the moon. On October 6, 2025, the Harvest Supermoon illuminated not only fields but also some of the world’s most iconic cityscapes and monuments, as captured in a stunning gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Images from around the world showcased the Harvest Moon in all its glory. In London, a passenger plane was photographed soaring directly in front of the glowing orb, creating a dramatic juxtaposition of human innovation and natural wonder. As Reuters described, “A passenger plane passes in front of the first supermoon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon, as it flies above London, Britain, Oct. 6, 2025.” The scene was repeated in other cities as well, with the moon rising over the Mario Cuomo Bridge in New York, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and even the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, Britain.
Across the Atlantic, the moon’s ascent was equally mesmerizing. In Jersey City, New Jersey, the Harvest Supermoon appeared behind the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn skyline, bathing the city in a silvery glow. “The Harvest Supermoon rises behind the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn skyline, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J.,” reported AP. For many, this was a moment to pause and appreciate the cosmic rhythms that connect us all, regardless of geography.
The event wasn’t limited to major metropolises. In Malta, divers watched the moonrise from a rigid inflatable boat off the coast of Mellieha, while in Cyprus, the Harvest Moon rose behind the cross of ‘Metamorphosis Sotiros’ Christian Orthodox Church at the outskirts of Nicosia. Even in the midst of political tension — such as the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government, which entered its sixth day on October 6 — the supermoon offered a moment of unity and wonder. Reuters noted, “The first supermoon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon, rises above the National Mall, in view of the dome of the U.S. Capitol from the Washington Monument during the sixth day of a shutdown of the federal government in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 2025.”
One particularly striking photograph, credited to AP’s Julio Cortez, captured a Southwest Airlines plane appearing between the Harvest Supermoon and a statue of Jesus Christ atop Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria de Guadalupe as it took off from Dallas Love Field Airport in Irving, Texas. The image highlighted the serendipitous beauty of everyday life intersecting with rare celestial events.
For those who missed the spectacle, there’s good news: October’s supermoon is just the first in a series of three supermoons set to occur in 2025. Each offers another chance for stargazers and photographers alike to catch the moon at its most dazzling. As AP and Reuters both emphasized, the subtle difference of a supermoon can be observed without any special equipment — all that’s needed is a clear sky and a bit of curiosity.
But what exactly causes a supermoon to appear so much larger and brighter? The answer lies in the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth. While the average distance between the two bodies is about 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers), the moon’s path isn’t a perfect circle. Sometimes it swings closer (perigee), and sometimes it drifts farther away (apogee). When a full moon coincides with perigee, we get a supermoon — a term that’s gained popularity in recent years, though the phenomenon itself has been observed for centuries.
Historically, the Harvest Moon has held special significance for cultures around the world. In East Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated under the light of the full moon, with families gathering to share mooncakes and stories. In the West, the Harvest Moon’s bright light was a boon to farmers working late into the night to bring in their crops before the onset of winter. Today, the moon’s allure is more about beauty and wonder than agriculture, but the sense of awe remains unchanged.
Photo galleries curated by AP editors showcased the supermoon’s journey across different time zones and landscapes. In London, the moon rose as a red double-decker bus drove across Tower Bridge; in New York, it hovered above One World Trade Center and lower Manhattan. In Cyprus, it provided a dramatic backdrop for the cross atop a church, while in Milton Keynes, Britain, it shone above the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park. Each image told a story of connection — between people and place, earth and sky.
For many, witnessing a supermoon is a reminder of nature’s grandeur and the smallness of our everyday concerns. As the moon’s silver light bathed cities and countrysides alike, it offered a shared experience that transcended borders and backgrounds. Whether viewed from a bustling city street or a quiet rural lane, the Harvest Supermoon of October 2025 was a moment to savor — and, for those lucky enough to have a camera handy, to capture for posterity.
With two more supermoons set to appear before the year’s end, the celestial show is far from over. So if clouds blocked your view this time, keep your eyes on the sky — the universe always has another surprise in store.
