By suzanne downing 
On the nights of Oct. 6 and 7, skywatchers across the northern latitudes will have a front-row seat to one of the year’s most spectacular celestial shows: the Super Harvest Moon.
The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the fall equinox, and in 2025 it will also be a supermoon—when the moon swings closest to Earth in its orbit, appearing larger and brighter than usual. This double distinction makes the October moon the brightest and biggest of the year, the first of three supermoons in 2025.
The moon will officially reach its crest at 7:47 pm Alaska Daylight Time on Oct. 6, glowing round and golden just as it clears the eastern horizon. For most people in the northern latitudes, that means the best viewing will be around sunset on Oct. 7, when the moon rises low and orange over the landscape, creating the classic “moon illusion” that makes it seem enormous.
Exact times vary by location, but starting around 7:15 pm is when you’ll want to be ready for the show, if the skies are clear. All you need to do is face east near sunset and watch for the glow on the horizon. By 9 or 10 pm, the moon will be well above the horizon, bright enough to cut through haze or thin clouds.
This year’s Harvest Moon won’t shine alone. Saturn will hover nearby, adding a golden companion to the show. With binoculars, you might catch Saturn’s light sitting just to the moon’s right.
For rural residents, low levels of light pollution provide a particularly stunning backdrop. Along the coast, on open tundra, or atop a hillside, a wide eastern view will make the most of the rising moon’s orange glow. The moon’s proximity — about 221,500 miles away at perigee — means it will appear roughly 14% larger and 30% brighter than an average full moon.
October skies in Alaska can be fickle. Early forecasts suggest a chance of partly clear skies in places like Anchorage, but local conditions will vary. A break in the clouds could turn an ordinary Monday night into something unforgettable for those with a clear view of the southeastern horizon.
Suzanne Downing
Oh My(!!!) … This is merely a significant warning, especially given my GF is presently going thru a menopause ‘adventure’ // ‘tour’ whereby these extreme lunar phases has the propensity of creating a nightmarish monster. Maybe(?), others experience this too? If so, is there a Support Group (something other than the local Watering Hole) and/or treatment center? I can tell you that current meds are helping but, they eventually wear off so it’s really important you never run-out of said meds! Also, remember to hide the firearms and ammo … (Pro Tip).