Australia’s Harvest Supermoon Season: What to Expect
Australia is set to enjoy a remarkable sequence of supermoons this autumn and early winter. The October harvest supermoon kicks off a trio of impressive near-Earth lunar events, with two more full moons classified as supermoons in November and December. Some definitions also include a January 2026 moon as a potential supermoon. For skywatchers, this is a season of brighter, larger-than-life moons that are wonderfully easy to spot on clear nights.
When to See the Harvest Supermoon in 2025
The Moon will reach its fullest on the night of Tuesday, October 7, 2025. If you miss that exact moment, you’ll still get a dazzling view on Wednesday, October 8, when the Moon is closest to Earth this month. The best viewing begins at sunset as the Moon rises in the eastern sky and remains visible all night, setting in the west at sunrise. A natural effect known as the Moon illusion can make the Moon appear especially large just after dusk when it sits low on the horizon, which can enhance the viewing experience even without any equipment.
What Makes a Moon a “Supermoon”?
A supermoon isn’t a formal astronomical term, but it’s widely used to describe full (or new) moons that occur near the Moon’s closest distance to Earth, the perigee. Different observers define it slightly differently: many say a moon is a supermoon if it is within about 90% of perigee, or if a full moon happens within roughly 24 hours of perigee. The Moon’s orbit is slightly egg-shaped, so its distance to Earth varies, ranging from about 356,355 km at perigee to 406,725 km at apogee. The harvest supermoon will be at around 359,818 km from Earth and occur within 24 hours of full Moon timing, at 2:49 pm AEDT on October 7.
What About the Other Supermoons This Year?
Beyond October, the calendar holds two more confirmed supermoons: November 5 (full moon near 356,818 km, exact timing 12:20 am AEDT on November 6) and December 4 (near 356,961 km, full moon at 10 am AEDT on December 5). Some observers also count January 3, 2026, as a supermoon, even though its closest approach occurs two days earlier on January 1 at 360,347 km. The next truly near-Earth full moon won’t occur again until November 25, 2026.
Why Do We See Several Supermoons in a Row?
Professor Jonti Horner of the University of Southern Queensland explains that supermoons clustering happens naturally. As the Moon orbits Earth every ~29 days, the full moon phases align with perigee at several points along the orbit. The Sun–Earth–Moon alignment needed for a full moon doesn’t always coincide with perigee, but those alignments repeat in a wave-like pattern, producing a string of near-Earth full moons before the geometry shifts. This varying geometry creates what looks like a seasonal “festival” of supermoons about once a year.
Do Supermoons Affect Tides?
Yes. Supermoons strengthen perigean spring tides, commonly called king tides, because the Moon’s proximity increases gravitational effects on the oceans. The term “spring” here refers to the tide’s strong rise, not the season. Beachgoers and coastal communities may notice higher tides, especially when a harvest moon coincides with storm systems or seas already pushing water higher than usual.
Why the Harvest Moon Name?
The harvest moon isn’t defined by the Moon’s appearance alone. It’s named for its position near the autumn equinox and is part of a historical naming tradition found in the Old Farmer’s Almanac, reflecting seasonal changes in the Northern Hemisphere. Cultural connections to the Moon run deep in Australia as well, where traditional observations and modern stargazing coexist during this time of year.
Beyond the Moons: Other Sky Events
If the harvest supermoon isn’t your preferred spectacle, there are other celestial events in the pipeline. The total lunar eclipse, sometimes called a blood moon, is expected to be visible from across Australia in March 2026. Before then, the Orionids meteor shower peaks on October 21–22, and December’s Geminids meteor shower is widely regarded as one of the year’s best, offering another dazzling option for skywatchers.
In short, Australia’s harvest moon season offers a reliable, accessible chance to marvel at the Moon, learn how its orbit can bring multiple “supermoon” moments, and appreciate how lunar and tidal dynamics shape our night and sea alike.
