October 2025’s Harvest Moon: A Rare Harvest Supermoon
The night sky lit up with a majestic Harvest Supermoon on October 6–7, 2025, as the full moon appeared unusually large and bright near the eastern horizon. This was the first supermoon of 2025, coinciding with the Harvest Moon—the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Historically, farmers relied on the moon’s light to harvest crops before modern lighting, and this October display offered a modern nod to that tradition.
During a supermoon, the Moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. This effect occurs when the Moon is at or near perigee—the closest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth—creating a spectacular glow opposite the setting sun in the west.
Global Perspectives: Husk of Light Across Continents
Astrophotographers from around the world captured this luminous event in diverse settings. In Washington, D.C., Austin DeSisto timed the Moon as it drifted behind the tip of the Washington Monument, with wispy clouds and ancient lava formations adding texture to the scene. In New York, veteran photographer Gary Hershorn crafted a yellow-tinted Moon suspended above the Statue of Liberty at sunset, a striking image thanks to Rayleigh scattering in Earth’s atmosphere that colors the lunar disk as it nears the horizon.
Hershorn’s night-early shot peered around the EdgeNYC Observation Deck, revealing a slender lunar crescent just before it rounded into fuller glory. Across the globe, Amartya Mishra photographed the Harvest Moon over Kathmandu, Nepal, noting the Moon appeared brighter and larger, a sentiment echoed by many observers who described the spectacle as serene and awe-inspiring.
Atmospheric Color: Why the Harvest Moon Turns Yellow
The Moon’s warm hue is largely due to Rayleigh scattering, the same optical effect that reddens sunsets. When the lunar disk hovers low on the horizon, Earth’s denser atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths, allowing longer red and orange wavelengths to dominate. The effect can transform the Harvest Moon into a striking yellow-orange beacon as it rises and sets.
Capturing the Moment: Techniques for Photographing a Harvest Supermoon
For enthusiasts eager to photograph future supermoons, start with a sturdy tripod, a clear horizon, and a focal length in the 200–600mm range to fill the frame with lunar detail. Bracket your exposures to balance the Moon’s bright highlights against the darker terrestrial backdrop, and consider shooting during civil twilight when the sky deepens without washing out lunar features. If you can, include well-known landmarks to provide a sense of scale and place, as many photographers did to great effect during this event.
Plan ahead for the perigee timing—the closest approach to Earth occurs during the days around perigee, which in 2025 fell shortly after the Harvest Moon. Even if you miss peak perigee, the Moon remains a captivating subject for a couple of days after full illumination, giving photographers ample opportunity to capture its evolving glow.
What’s Next on the Lunar Calendar?
Following the October Harvest Moon, three additional supermoons are anticipated in November, December, and January 2026. If you’re interested in chasing the night sky, check our guides for the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography and our expert tips on photographing a supermoon. Keep an eye on local weather and atmospheric conditions, and don’t forget to scout a location with a clear eastern horizon to catch the Moon’s rise in all its luminous splendor.
Photo Gallery: Harvest Moon Through Global Lenses
From Washington, D.C., to New York, Kathmandu, Jinhua (China), and beyond, the Harvest Supermoon provided a canvas for photographers to showcase the Moon’s textures, maria, and mountain ranges. Amateur and professional alike shared images featuring lunar seas and impact craters—Copernicus, Kepler, and Tycho among the familiar names—illuminated by a striking, amber-tinted glow.
Whether you witnessed it in person or admired the photos online, the October 2025 Harvest Moon reminded us that the night sky still holds wonders that connect communities across the globe.
