Three supermoons in a row in 2025! It all starts with tonight’s glowing Harvest Moon
- Ric Kearbey
- Oct 6, 2025
- 2 min read
When you step outside tonight, don’t be surprised if the moon looks huge, because it really is. The October Harvest Moon rises glowing orange and oversized on the horizon, marking the first supermoon of 2025.
But here’s the twist: tonight’s Harvest Moon 2025 supermoon isn’t just gorgeous, it’s kicking off a rare streak of three consecutive supermoons lighting up the final months of the year.
The Harvest Moon 2025 supermoon kicks off a rare three-moon streak
We’ll see three supermoons in a row to close out the year:
Oct 6 - The Harvest Moon
Nov 5 - The Beaver Moon
Dec 4 - The Cold Moon
Each will appear slightly closer and brighter than a typical full moon, with the December one glowing largest of all.
What exactly is a supermoon?
A supermoon happens when a full moon occurs while the Moon is near its closest point to Earth in its orbit, what astronomers call perigee.
Because the Moon’s path around Earth isn’t a perfect circle, its distance changes slightly each month. When a full moon lines up with that closest stretch, it appears:
Up to 7% larger than usual
As much as 15% brighter
It’s not a dramatic “wow, it’s huge!” difference to the naked eye, more like the moon turning the brightness up a notch and looking extra golden on the horizon.
Did you know?
1️⃣ The Harvest Moon isn’t tied to the month, it’s tied to the fall equinox. Whichever full moon happens closest to the autumn equinox gets the Harvest title, sometimes September, sometimes October. This year, October wins.
2️⃣ It’s called “Harvest” for a reason. Before electricity, farmers used its light to finish gathering crops late into the night. The Harvest Moon rises only about 25–30 minutes later each night, instead of the usual 50, keeping the fields bright nearly all week.
3️⃣ Supermoon = closer, brighter, bigger. Tonight the moon sits about 222,000 miles away, roughly 17,000 miles closer than average, making it appear 7% larger and 15% brighter.
4️⃣ That orange glow? Pure physics. When the moon’s low on the horizon, its light passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere. Blue wavelengths scatter, leaving the deep golds and reds we love in October skies.
5️⃣ Your eyes play tricks on you. The moon illusion makes it look enormous when it’s near trees or buildings. Your brain compares it to nearby objects and exaggerates its size, a perfect chance for photos.
When and where to watch
Moonrise: Around 6:50 p.m. Eastern (check your local time).
Best view: 30–45 minutes after moonrise, when it’s low and glowing orange.
Bonus: Catch the moon again Tuesday night if clouds block it, it’ll still look nearly full.
Weather Nerdy Tip
Want a great shot? Find a spot with trees, rooftops, or a skyline in view, something for your lens (and your brain) to compare the moon’s size to.
And remember, this isn’t just a moon, it’s the kickoff to three straight months of supermoon magic.
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