What's so rare about this year's Harvest Moon?

Arab Weather - On Monday evening, October 6, 2025, the world is awaiting a rare astronomical event : the appearance of the giant Harvest Moon. This rare sighting will occur in October this year, instead of its usual September date. This phenomenon has only occurred 18 times between 1970 and 2050.

What is a harvest moon?

A Harvest Moon is the first full moon after the autumnal equinox (which usually occurs on September 22 or 23).
In ancient times, it was considered a symbol of fertility and abundance, as its bright light helped farmers finish the harvest season before the cold winter arrived.

The rare thing this year

The special event in 2025 is that the Harvest Moon will appear later than usual, specifically on October 6, because the September full moon occurred too far from the autumnal equinox.
This event is very rare, and the last time it happened was in 2020, and it won't happen again until 2028, which makes the 2025 moon truly exceptional.

Live broadcast via the Arab Weather app

Get ready to follow the most beautiful astronomical event of the year live on the Arab Weather app!
On the night of October 6, 2025, a live broadcast will be available on the Live page within the app, broadcast from several areas in Jordan, including Irbid, Barqash Forests, and Koura District, so you can experience the moment of the giant moonrise like never before.

The broadcast will feature exclusive footage of the moon's phases, along with featured astronomy news and articles about the Harvest Moon and its rarity this year.
Don't miss the spectacle. Download the ArabiaWeather app now and be part of this unique celestial event, moment by moment!

Harvest moon and supermoon at the same time!

This won't be an ordinary moon, but a supermoon, meaning it will be at its closest point to Earth, making it appear 7% larger and about 30% brighter than a regular full moon, in a breathtaking scene at sunrise and sunset.

Deceptive sunrise timing

The Harvest Moon also rises at a nearly constant time for several days in a row, unlike other moons that are about 50 minutes later each day.

This gives the sky continuous nights of light, just as it did in ancient harvest seasons.

It can be viewed from most parts of the world.

It will be clearly visible in large parts of the world, most notably:

1. Middle East and North Africa, October 6 evening
2. Europe and North America after sunset
3. East Asia such as Japan, China and India
4. While its visibility will traditionally be less significant in the Southern Hemisphere.

Moon symbolism in ancient cultures

In Native American cultures, the Harvest Moon represented the last chance to harvest crops before winter, and today it is still seen as a symbol of renewal, reflection, and connection with nature.

Don't miss the scene!

The night of October 6, 2025, will be a unique opportunity to observe a moon that combines the magic of light with the rarity of timing: a late and giant Harvest Moon, a sight that won't be repeated anytime soon.

See also:

A rare astronomical event will grace the skies of the Kingdom tomorrow, and we will not see it for three years on this date.

Jordan is set to witness a unique astronomical phenomenon that will grace the Kingdom's skies next Tuesday.