On the night of October 6, 2025, skywatchers across the globe were treated to a celestial spectacle that was equal parts science, folklore, and sheer visual wonder: the Harvest Supermoon. This event, which peaked at 11:47 p.m. Eastern Time, marked the first of three consecutive supermoons set to grace the night sky in late 2025, according to NASA and reporting from AP, EarthSky, and Space.com.
But what exactly made this October moon so special? For starters, it wasn’t just any full moon—it was a supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a point known as perigee. As a result, the moon appeared up to 14% larger and as much as 30% brighter than when it’s at its farthest point, or apogee. NASA explains, “The moon is bigger and brighter because…it’s a supermoon!” On October 6, the moon was a mere 224,600 miles (361,459 kilometers) from Earth, about 10% closer than a typical full moon.
This particular full moon also earned the title of Harvest Moon—the name given to the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, which fell on September 22 this year. Traditionally, the Harvest Moon provided crucial extra light for farmers harvesting crops late into the night, before the advent of electric lighting. According to Space.com, Native American and early colonial farmers coined the name because of this practical benefit. In 2025, the September full moon arrived early (on September 7), making the October 6 moon the closest to the equinox and thus the official Harvest Moon for the year. As skywatching columnist Joe Rao noted, “the 2025 version of the Harvest Moon falls in October” because it is about 14 hours closer to the equinox than September’s full moon.
Harvest Moons in October are a rarity. Between 1970 and 2050, only 18 such events occur, with the last in 2020 and the next not due until 2028. This rare timing imbued the 2025 Harvest Supermoon with an extra layer of significance for astronomers and folklore enthusiasts alike. As EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd put it, the October 6–7 full moon was “a Super Harvest Moon—bigger, brighter, and later than usual in 2025.”
The Harvest Supermoon was visible to anyone with a clear view of the eastern horizon at sunset. No special equipment was needed, though binoculars or a small telescope helped reveal the moon’s dark maria—vast lunar plains—and its countless craters. Thanks to the so-called “moon illusion,” the moon appeared especially large and orange as it rose over the landscape, a trick of the mind amplified by atmospheric effects. In fact, the moon’s rise at sunset and its proximity to the equinox meant it appeared full and bright for several nights in a row, giving farmers (and modern stargazers) extended evenings of moonlight.
Adding to the night’s celestial drama, Saturn made a cameo appearance about 15 degrees above and to the upper right of the moon, according to Space.com. This planetary pairing offered a bonus for skywatchers, with Saturn glittering like a bright star just above the golden moon. Amateur astronomers noted that Saturn would be about a “fist-width” above the upper right of the moon at moonrise, making for a striking sky duo.
October 2025’s skies were busy in other ways, too. The month featured not one but two meteor showers—the Draconids and the Orionids. The Draconid meteor shower, which peaks on October 8, is made up of debris from Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. However, the brilliance of the Harvest Supermoon threatened to drown out all but the brightest meteors. Still, as Live Science pointed out, the moon’s peak came just 1.3 days before the Draconid peak, so “shooting stars… possible” on October 8. Later in the month, the Orionid meteor shower (debris from Halley’s Comet) was set to peak on October 21 under a new moon, offering up to 20 meteors per hour in a dark sky—an event eagerly anticipated by meteor enthusiasts.
For those who missed the October spectacle, there was solace in knowing that two more supermoons were on the way, in November and December. November’s supermoon, on November 5, is slated to be the closest supermoon of 2025, promising another night of lunar grandeur. And according to EarthSky, supermoons always appear consecutively, with three to four each year; in 2025, there are four, with another expected in early January 2026.
Supermoons, while visually impressive, also have subtle effects on Earth. Their gravitational pull can cause higher-than-usual tides, sometimes called king tides or supermoon tides. However, as EarthSky clarified, “flooding typically occurs when a strong weather system accompanies an especially high spring tide.” The gravity from the closest supermoon is only about 4% greater than that from the moon at its average distance, so dramatic flooding is unlikely unless weather conditions conspire.
The Harvest Moon’s cultural and symbolic meanings run deep. Across cultures, this full moon signals abundance, gratitude, and the closing of the earth’s growing season before winter’s chill sets in. Many communities have long held moonlit gatherings, rituals, and storytelling nights to mark this moment. Astrologers, for their part, noted that the moon was in Aries during this full moon, a placement said to stir boldness and heightened emotions—a detail sure to intrigue the spiritually minded.
For the best view of the Harvest Supermoon, experts recommended finding an open, flat area with a clear view of the eastern horizon—fields, parks, and waterfronts being ideal. The moon appears largest when rising or setting, so timing was key for those seeking the most dramatic photos or simply a moment of awe. And with the extra moonlight stretching across several nights, there was ample opportunity for both professional photographers and casual observers to savor the sight.
As October’s Harvest Supermoon kicked off a trio of lunar marvels, it also reminded us of the enduring connection between the rhythms of the heavens and the traditions of the earth. Whether you gazed up in search of cosmic perspective or simply enjoyed the moon’s golden glow over your backyard, this rare event brought together science, history, and wonder in equal measure.
