Rare October Supermoon and Shooting Stars Illuminate 2025 Harvest Moon
On October 6, 2025, a spectacular celestial event will unfold as the first supermoon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon, illuminates the autumn sky. This renowned full moon marks the onset of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and traditionally signifies the conclusion of the harvest season.
Timing and Visibility of the Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon will reach its full phase at 11:47 p.m. EST on Monday, which corresponds to 3:47 p.m. UTC on October 7. It will be particularly striking in the evenings preceding and following this peak. The ideal moment to witness the moon will be at dusk on October 7, when it rises over the eastern horizon.
Viewing Tips
- Seek an elevated location for an unobstructed view of the eastern sky.
- The moon’s golden-orange hue will be most vivid 15-20 minutes after it rises.
- While the Harvest Moon can be enjoyed with the naked eye, binoculars offer a closer view of its craters and dark plains, known as mare.
Significance of the Harvest Moon
The term “Harvest Moon” refers to the full moon closest to the September equinox, which occurred on September 22, 2025. This full moon’s brightness historically aided farmers in harvesting late into the night. Although September typically hosts the Harvest Moon, lunar schedules designate October for this event in 2025.
Supermoon Phenomenon
This Harvest Moon also qualifies as a supermoon. It will shine brightly from a distance of 224,599 miles (361,457 kilometers) from Earth, roughly 10% closer than average. The moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical, leading to variations in distance. The supermoon phase occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, known as perigee.
Upcoming Celestial Events
Following the Harvest Moon, the lunar brightness will peak just 1.3 days later, on October 8. This night will also coincide with the maximum activity of the Draconid meteor shower, which may yield up to 10 meteors per hour. However, the full moon’s glow could obscure some visibility of the meteors.
Throughout October, stargazers can look forward to two comets—Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN R2 (C/2025 R2)—making close approaches to Earth. These events will align with the Orionid meteor shower peak, occurring overnight on October 21-22, ideally viewed under a new moon for optimal darkness.
Next Full Moon
The subsequent full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will rise on November 5, 2025, marking the largest supermoon since 2019. The celestial events this October promise to enchant and captivate skywatchers longing for natural beauty and cosmic wonder.
