First Super Harvest Moon of 2025 Visible October 6

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Stargazers across the United States can look forward to the first supermoon of the year on the night of October 6, 2025. Known as the Harvest Moon, this full moon will peak at 11:48 p.m. ET, shining brightly in the autumn sky.

Noah Petro, a project scientist for NASA‘s Artemis III mission, noted that even if clouds obscure the moon on Monday night, it will still be visible in a nearly full state on Tuesday. “The joy of a full moon is that if it’s cloudy in your neighborhood on Monday night, you can look Tuesday, and the moon will still look fairly full,” he said.

The term Harvest Moon refers to the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, aiding farmers historically in completing their harvests under the moonlight, as detailed in The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

This supermoon marks the first of three consecutive supermoons for 2025. Supermoons occur when the moon is at perigee, or its closest point to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. “It’s a subtle effect that you won’t always notice unless you’re regularly looking at the moon,” Petro added.

The Harvest Moon’s occurrence this year comes just weeks after NASA’s announcement regarding potential astronaut missions to the Moon and Mars. In early 2026, four veteran astronauts are scheduled to fly on the Artemis II mission to circle the Moon. “What makes the moon coming up on October 6 so special is what we learned recently about Artemis II launching to the moon,” said Petro.

The 2025 Harvest Moon will also be brightened by its proximity to Saturn, which was notably close during its recent opposition on September 21. This phenomenon provides an excellent opportunity for skygazers to enjoy a unique night sky.

During this lunar event, clear skies are predicted for most of the U.S., offering perfect viewing conditions. The peak time to observe the full moon will be right after it rises in the east shortly after sunset, continuing through the night and into the early hours of October 7.

Beyond the viewing of this supermoon, October will also host other celestial events, such as meteor showers. As excitement builds around lunar and astronomical phenomena, awareness and appreciation for these wonders continue to grow among enthusiasts.

October 2025 promises to be a remarkable month for skywatchers, with the Harvest Moon serving as a bright beacon of the changing seasons.