The Harvest Full Moon, scheduled for Tuesday October 7, 2025, is considered a Super Moon, but this year it's delayed because it usually takes place at the end of September, for the first time in October in 5 years! In fact, this is the first Super Moon of the year, whereas they usually appear in the summer months. It should still be warm enough outside for a quiet viewing.
The Harvest Full Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. This year, it took place on the night of October 7, peaking at 5:48 am (Paris time). The name refers to the time when farmers used the light of this full moon to prolong their harvests after sunset. What's more, if you miss it on the 7th, you can observe it full for about three days.
This means that the Moon is at its perigee, i.e. at its closest point to the Earth, giving it a larger, slightly brighter appearance than usual. It appears up to 7% larger than an average full moon.
This is known as thelunar illusion. When the Moon is low in the sky, close to the horizon, it appears larger than terrestrial objects such as buildings or trees. This illusion is particularly marked on full moons close to the equinox, such as the Harvest Full Moon.
