Full Moons throughout the year are given names, often dating back centuries, that reflect what is happening in nature.
October’s full Moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon but it is also this year’s Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full Moon that rises closest to the autumn equinox, traditionally a time for gathering crops. It also rises around sunset for several evenings in succession creating extra light for farmers working outside.
The equinox this year was on 22 September, and often the Harvest Moon occurs in the same month. In fact it’s on 7 October and is the latest since 1987.
The Harvest Moon is perhaps the most well-known one of the year, thanks in part to the 1992 hit song ‘Harvest Moon’ by Neil Young.
Whilst this will be the brightest and largest full Moon of 2025 so far, you won’t have to wait long until the next one, as we will see two more supermoons this year, on 5 November and 4 December.