On October 7 at around 18:20GMT, the first supermoon of 2025 will rise into the UK skies. This will start a run of three consecutive supermoons in the last three months of the year with the largest and brightest expected in November.
The final effects of storm Amy may still be lingering by the time the supermoon is due so Brits may need to keep an eye on the weather forecast as cloud cover might block their view of the moon. The supermoon should remain visible for a few consecutive nights so there may be more than one chance to spot this lunar event.
A supermoon occurs when the moon is full at its closest point to Earth. Because of the elliptical orbit the moon has around the Earth, this point in the orbit causes it to appear noticeably larger and brighter.
The last supermoon was on October 17, 2024 according to Royal Museums Greenwich. The next supermoons are expected around November 5, December 4 and then only again on Christmas Eve in 2026. November's supermoon is expected to be the biggest since 2019 according to Live Science.
Supermoons are relatively easy to see from just about anywhere without any special equipment, provided there are not too many clouds. Supermoons are also a great opportunity to use binoculars or telescopes to see the moon's surface in greater detail or for moon photography.
Royal Museums Greenwich recommends keeping your eye on the horizon a bit earlier in the evening this week to catch the most spectacular angles of this lunar event. It says: "Seeing moonrise just after sunset or moonset just before sunrise will be an impressive sight as the Moon will appear enormous compared to the surrounding landscape."
It explained how a supermoon is created: "The distance between the Moon and the Earth varies, because the Earth is not right at the centre of the Moon's orbit and the Moon's orbit is not a circle (it's an ellipse).
"The moment when the Moon is closest to the Earth is called a lunar perigee. When the Moon is furthest away it is known as a lunar apogee.
"If the lunar perigee occurs very close to a full Moon, then we see a supermoon. If a lunar apogee occurs very close to a full moon then we see a micromoon.
"The term 'supermoon' originates from a concept in astrology, but now has been adopted by some astronomers. One strict definition of a supermoon is that if the Moon is within 10 per cent of its closest distance at the moment of full Moon, it is considered a supermoon.
"During a supermoon, the Moon appears up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter compared with when the Moon is furthest away."
This month's full moon is not just a supermoon but is also the Harvest Moon and Hunter's Moon. The Harvest Moon is a title given to the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox which was on September 22.
Harvest Moons are known to rise around sunset for several evenings, traditionally creating extra light for farmers ahead of the winter season. The full moon in October is also sometimes called the Hunter's Moon.
Another name that dates back centuries as this time of year often saw animals fattened up for the winter season wandering on empty fields, illuminated for humans by the brighter light of the Hunter's Moon.