A ‘fantastic’ harvest moon kicks off a striking run of supermoons. Here’s when you can see them

We saw the moon bigger and brighter on Tuesday evening as the October harvest moon glowed over the horizon and lit the night sky, and was still visible in the early hours of Wednesday.

The harvest moon kicked off a striking run of supermoon sightings, which are forecast monthly until January in an incredible show of the lunar phenomenon.

While supermoons aren’t rare – there’s usually at least three each year and eight expected in 2025 – they do represent a special aligning of the moon’s phases and orbit, combining to deliver a stunning show.

Here’s what you need to know now the supermoon season has begun.

What is a harvest supermoon?

The harvest moon is the name given to the supermoon that falls closest to the September equinox, which was a fortnight ago.

The name hails from a time when northern hemisphere farmers would use increased brightness from the harvest moon to gather crops.

It doesn’t have the same agricultural relevance in Australia or the rest of the southern hemisphere, but is used to characterise the event regardless.

How does a supermoon occur?

A supermoon happens when a full moon is at its closest to Earth. It can appear 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter at this point than at the furthest point on its orbit.

The result is a dramatic, glowing moon that, in the right conditions, illuminates the night sky. It is often most striking when it emerges over the horizon and is contrasted against buildings, monuments, trees and other landmarks.

Where can I see it?

Harvest moons are best viewed over the eastern horizon and are expected to swell dramatically in the moments after sunset.

Clear skies and an unobstructed view made for the best viewing experience on Tuesday.

When are the next supermoons?

The next supermoon – the hunter’s moon – will fall on November 5. The hunter’s moon is the supermoon that follows the harvest moon and is traditionally linked to hunting and food storage ahead of the northern hemisphere winter.

The supermoon following the hunter’s moon will be on December 5, with another supermoon forecast for January 2026.

We are expected to be treated to a total lunar eclipse, or blood moon, in March next year.

Why are there so many in a row?

Macquarie University astrophysicist and associate professor Devika Kamath said the moon’s phases and orbit have “all lined up” to deliver a larger number of supermoons in 2025.

“It’s like a person coming into a room, touching the wall, then coming out of the room,” Kamath said.

“It’s a phase – the closest point [to Earth] is going to be, in fact, on November 5 – what you see tonight won’t be the moon at its closest.”

Kamath found that a supermoon was made “special” by the aligning of the moon’s phases and orbit, a rare event that makes the sky “look fantastic”.

What other types of full moons are there?

Other special full moons include:

• Blood moon: occurs when Earth’s shadow completely covers the moon, which appears red at night sky due to remaining light reflected from the edges of the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Blue moon: not blue in colour or otherwise irregular in appearance, it’s the third full moon in a season with four full moons, or the second full moon in a month. It happens every 2.5 years, approximately.

How do they affect the tides?

Supermoons make the tide slightly stronger, causing high tides to rise a few centimetres above normal and low tides slightly lower.

This is due to the moon’s stronger gravitational pull as it orbits closer to Earth. Its impact on tides is minor and smaller than that of a storm or other local weather.

How can I photograph it?

Photographers are advised against over-zooming when capturing the supermoon, and to steady their device with a tripod or other structure to ensure a clear shot.

Phone users should also avoid over-zooming and tap on the screen to focus on the moon before taking the photograph.

All photographers should look east after sunset to capture the rising glow and brightness from the supermoon as it appears over the horizon.

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