Harvest Supermoon Meets King Tides: What to Expect on Oct. 6

Grab a jacket, a friend, and your camera. The first supermoon of 2025 rises on Monday, October 6, and it comes with a nice bonus in the same part of the sky. Saturn will glow to the upper right of the moon shortly after moonrise, making for an easy skywatching two-for-one.

What is the Harvest Supermoon?

October's full moon is also known as the Harvest Moon because it is the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox. Before electric lights, farmers used the moon's bright evening glow to finish gathering crops.

This year's Harvest Moon also qualifies as a supermoon. Meaning that when the full moon aligns with perigee, it is at its closest point to Earth. A supermoon can look larger and brighter than an average full moon. The difference is modest to the eye, but it is noticeable enough in photos taken months apart.

The exact full phase occurs at 11:48 p.m. EDT on October 6. You do not need to wait until that time to enjoy the show. The most dramatic views usually arrive right at moonrise.