October Super Hunter Moon brings a double treat with Harvest Supermoon

The October full Moon in 2025 will bring a rare alignment of astronomical events. Known as the Hunter’s Moon, it will also be a supermoon and will serve as the year’s Harvest Moon. The combination makes it a notable moment for skywatchers, enhanced by close encounters with Saturn and the Pleiades star cluster.

Above Photo Credit: The 18 September 2024 Harvest Moon dissected by cloud, captured by Lee Mansfield over the Singing Ringing Tree sculpture, Burnley, Lancashire, UK.

Why it is called the Hunter’s Moon

Every full Moon has a traditional name linked to seasonal cycles. The Hunter’s Moon is the first full Moon after the Harvest Moon, named for the time when hunting was most active in preparation for winter. Historically, the bright light of the Moon gave hunters extended hours to track game in fields left bare after harvest. This year, the October Moon takes on both roles, being both the Harvest Moon and the Hunter’s Moon.

What makes this a supermoon

The Moon will reach its closest orbital point to Earth, known as perigee, on the same night as the October full Moon. This alignment is called a supermoon, or more formally a perigee syzygy Moon. While the difference in size and brightness is difficult to notice with the naked eye, scientific measurements show the Moon appears slightly larger and brighter during these times compared to when it is at its farthest point, apogee. This phenomenon adds to the significance of the October Hunter’s Moon.

Timing of the event

The October supermoon will reach peak illumination at 03:47 UTC on 7 October 2025. It will rise around 17:20 UTC, meaning observers in the Americas will see it before midnight on 6 October, while in Europe, Africa, and Asia it will appear during the early hours of 7 October. Its position in the night sky will also bring it close to Saturn, making it possible to see the planet alongside the glowing Moon with the naked eye.

The Harvest Moon connection

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon closest to the autumn equinox, which fell on September 22nd, 2025. Because September’s full Moon occurred earlier that month, the October Moon takes on the designation of Harvest Moon. This timing explains why the October full Moon is uniquely both a Hunter’s Moon and a Harvest Moon in the same year. These events, with such a close alignment of Hunter's Moon, Harvest Moon, and supermoon, occur infrequently, making them notable for observers.

Photo Credit: Alan Dyer/Stocktrek Images - Hunter's Moon over Alberta, Canada, 8 October 2024.

Observing opportunities for skywatchers

Skywatchers will be able to enjoy multiple highlights during the event. The October Super Hunter Moon will appear near Saturn on 6 and 7 October, and a few days later, on 10 October, it will pass close to the Pleiades star cluster. Observers can attempt to capture photographs of the Moon alongside these celestial objects. Even simple binoculars or a small telescope can provide views of surface details, such as craters and ray systems, though brightness may make fine details harder to distinguish.

Photographers can experiment with wide-angle shots of the Moon rising above landscapes or capture closer images through telephoto lenses. Some may also notice the Moon appearing orange or red when near the horizon, an effect caused by atmospheric scattering known as the Moon illusion. For those tracking Saturn, small telescopes can reveal its rings even when positioned near the bright Moon. The event is expected to draw interest from stargazing groups, while astrophotography enthusiasts may use long exposures and specialized filters to balance the Moon’s brightness against nearby stars.

Traditions and science behind the Moon’s timing

The practice of naming full Moons dates back to agricultural and cultural traditions. While names like Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, or Flower Moon describe specific times of year, they do not signify physical differences in the Moon itself. The Hunter’s Moon, however, continues to hold meaning because it reflects historical patterns of hunting and food storage before winter. This October Super Hunter Moon's dual role as both Hunter’s and Harvest Moon adds extra cultural resonance.

From a scientific perspective, the event also illustrates the mechanics of the Moon’s elliptical orbit. Its distance from Earth varies, and the October timing demonstrates how perigee can coincide with a full Moon to create a supermoon. These periodic occurrences highlight the interplay of orbital dynamics and seasonal markers. Astronomers note that such alignments can affect tidal ranges, leading to slightly higher than average tides during supermoons.

A double treat with October Super Hunter Moon

The October Super Hunter Moon of 2025 is more than just a full Moon—it unites traditional naming customs, orbital mechanics, and favorable sky alignments. Serving as both Hunter’s Moon and Harvest Moon, while also being a supermoon, it offers an uncommon spectacle. With Saturn and the Pleiades nearby, observers will have a chance to experience a combination of cultural history and celestial science in a single night.