We have already told you about this year’s must-see astronomical events. One spectacular event is soon to come. The full Moon in October 2025, known as the “Harvest Moon,” will be the largest and brightest of the year, marking the first Supermoon since November 2024. The full Moon will occur on October 7 at 5:48 a.m. Italian time, but the full Moon will already be visible as early as the evening of October 6.
This Supermoon appears larger and brighter because it is in perigee, the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth, at about 361,458 km, making it up to 6 percent larger and 13 percent brighter than a normal full moon. The “Moon Illusion” phenomenon also makes it even more spectacular at the horizon, where it looks much larger due to an optical effect.
Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon is traditionally the one closest to the autumnal equinox and is named after the time when it was seen, during the harvest season. In 2025, this Moon occurs late, on October 7, a date not seen since 1987.
From Rome, the supermoon will be particularly visible at sunrise, best observed from open, dimly lit locations such as parks or areas in the countryside. The event will also be an ideal opportunity for astronomical photography and sky-gazing enthusiasts.
There are many legends associated with this Moon; in Native American culture, for example, it is also called the Corn Moon, in honor of the time when corn is harvested.
Many ancient peoples celebrated the Moon with propitiatory rites to thank the gods and to ensure future abundance. In Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a particularly important festival dedicated to the autumn full moon, associating it with family reunions, good luck and legendary figures such as the Lunar Rabbit.
Subsequently, two more supermoons will follow in November and December, making autumn-winter 2025 full of spectacular celestial dates.