Sky watchers across South Africa are in for a full moon treat next week.
The first Supermoon of 2025 will light up the night on Monday, 6 October, when the Harvest Moon rises just after sunset – appearing bigger, brighter, and more striking than usual.
Here’s when and how to view it at its best…
October’s Supermoon to light up the sky
The moon will reach its full phase at 5:48 am South African time on Tuesday, 7 October (11:48 p.m. EDT on 6 October). That’s when it’ll be directly opposite the sun, fully illuminated and showing off its most brilliant face.
Because the moon will be near its closest point to Earth in its orbit, it qualifies as a Supermoon – meaning it’ll look slightly larger and up to 14% brighter than a typical full moon.
October’s full moon is also known as the Harvest Moon, a name that dates back to a time when farmers relied on its light to gather crops after sunset. In the southern hemisphere, it still marks a seasonal turning point, arriving just a couple of weeks after the Spring Equinox, a reminder that longer, warmer days are on the way.
For the best view, step outside around the time of moonrise. As the moon lifts over the horizon, it will seem unusually large, an effect known as the moon illusion, caused by the way our brains perceive size against familiar landmarks like trees or buildings.
Whether you’re in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, or out in the countryside where light pollution is low, the show will be worth catching. Find a clear view to the east, bring your camera, and enjoy one of 2025’s most dazzling lunar sights.
