October’s Supermoon: The Brightest Harvest Moon of 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Stargazers are in for a treat on Monday night, October 6, as the first supermoon of the year is set to illuminate the sky, peaking at 11:48 p.m. ET. This supermoon, known as the harvest moon, is historically significant as it occurs closest to the autumnal equinox.

The harvest moon, named for its association with harvesting crops, helps farmers finish their work under its bright light. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this full moon is particularly crucial for farmers who relied on moonlight before the advent of modern lighting.

Noah Petro, project scientist for NASA’s Artemis III mission, explained, “If it’s cloudy in your area on October 6, don’t worry. The moon will still look full for a day or two after.” This supermoon is the first of three to occur within the fall months, with additional supermoons in November and December.

Petro said, “It’s subtle, but supermoons can be about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.” Regular moon observers may want to take note of its changes over the coming weeks, as its visibility can vary significantly.

For many, October’s supermoon coincides with other astronomical events, including the Draconid meteor shower that will begin the same night. Although the brightness of the harvest moon might overshadow the meteor display, it remains a remarkable sight.

This October’s harvest moon arrives just two weeks after NASA disclosed details about future Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars. The Artemis II mission, slated for early next year, will send a crew of astronauts around the Moon, marking a significant moment in space exploration.

<p“The moon coming up on October 6 is special because of what lies ahead with Artemis II launching soon,” Petro said. “Not only do we have this beautiful moon, but we also have humans set to visit it in the near future.”