The dawn of October brings with it the beginning of spooky season and Halloween festivities, and for would-be stargazers and skywatchers, an exciting addition to this special time of year will be grazing the skies later this month and here’s how you can view it.
On October 6, a Supermoon is expected to light up the night sky, casting an eerie glow and giving the evening a truly Halloween-like feel. This month’s full moon is often referred to as the Harvest Moon, due to its proximity to the time of year crops are typically harvested, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. Depending on the region, various crops are harvested at different times, resulting in alternative names related to harvest.
Rising near the autumnal equinox, before widespread electricity availability, farmers would often work under the Harvest Moon’s light to bring in the last of summer’s bounty.
In addition to its astrological influence, the Harvest Moon brings a spectacle to the night sky worth stargazers breaking out their telescopes to get a better look at the astrological marvel. The Moon’s perceived increase in size is due to its closer proximity to Earth during its orbit around the planet.
So whether you’re stepping outside to soak in its magical glow or snapping photos of the moon in all its glory, this is a moment you don’t want to miss. A full moon becomes a Supermoon when it reaches its peak while orbiting closest to Earth, a point known as perigee, according to NASA.
That extra proximity makes it appear slightly larger and brighter than an ordinary full moon, giving the night sky a more dramatic glow. The Harvest Moon will shine its brightest on Oct. 6 at 11:48 p.m. ET, when it sits opposite the sun and reflects its light in full.
DONT MISS:
If you’re in the United States, it’ll be best to look east around sunset, right as the Moon begins to rise above the horizon. The moon appears larger at this time thanks to the “moon illusion,” tricking our brain to make it seem larger near the skyline than high overhead.
At that hour, known as moonrise, the Moon will appear to take on a golden or pumpkin-colored tint, a visual treat as Earth’s atmosphere scatters cooler light, allowing warmer hues to pass through, according to Space.com.
The next supermoon is the Beaver Moon, which occurs on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. This will be the closest and largest supermoon of the year.
