The Harvest Supermoon lit up the night skies on October 6, captivating viewers worldwide with its rare brilliance and size. As the year’s biggest and brightest full moon, it offered stunning views from cities and countrysides alike—from New York’s skyline to the ancient churches of Italy and forests in India.
What Makes a Supermoon So Special?
This moon was not just a full moon—it was also a supermoon, appearing 10% larger and brighter than usual. This happens when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee. On this night, the moon was just 224,599 miles (361,457 km) from Earth—closer than its average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 km).
The Harvest Moon, which traditionally signals the end of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere, reached its peak brightness at 11:47 p.m. EST. However, it also appeared full and bright on the nights before and after, giving skywatchers extended time to enjoy the lunar spectacle.
Stunning Global Images Celebrate the Moon’s Beauty
Photographers across continents captured unforgettable images of the supermoon. In Italy, Lorenzo Di Cola photographed it rising above the Rocca Calascio Castle and Santa Maria della Pietà church. In Indonesia, Aditya Irawan snapped a breathtaking moment of a plane crossing in front of the glowing moon over West Java.
This event marked the first of three supermoons expected in 2025, setting the tone for more skywatching marvels in the coming months.
