October is treating stargazers to the first supermoon of 2025, but potentially cloudy weather Tuesday might trick some Hoosiers out of enjoying the full moon when it shines its brightest.
If that happens, don’t fret. There are two more supermoons this year. Indiana also has more astronomical events to look forward to ahead of Halloween — the Draconid and Orionid meteor showers.
If evening skies become clear in Central Indiana on Oct. 7, here’s what time you should look up to gaze at the harvest supermoon.
When is the full moon in October 2025?
Tuesday, Oct. 7, is when the full Harvest supermoon reaches peak illumination, according to both NASA and Space.com.
Will skies be clear in Indianapolis, Indiana, during the October supermoon?
Stargazing is all about timing, and the weather around Indianapolis during the supermoon will be cloudy in the evening but eventually clear, say local meteorologists.
Tuesday night’s forecast for Oct. 7 calls for isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. with a 20% chance of precipitation and a low around 50, according to the National Weather Service.
If skies clear quickly enough, Hoosiers in Central Indiana will be treated to the supermoon at its peak illumination.
What time is the full moon in Indianapolis, Indiana?
According to Space.com, the moon will reach its full phase on Oct. 7 at 11:48 p.m. ET.
Moonrise for the Indianapolis area, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, will happen by roughly 7:26 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, crossing the meridian at 1:32 a.m. before setting at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday.
You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer’s Almanac online.
What exactly is a supermoon?
“Supermoons happen when a new moon or a full moon coincides with perigee,” writes NASA, or when the moon is at its closest point to Earth all month.
“The moon’s orbit around the earth is not a circle but an ellipse,” explained Dr. Catherine Pilachowski, who serves as professor of Astronomy at Indiana University, adding the moon’s distance from earth changes throughout the year.
“When the full moon coincides with the moon at perigee we have a supermoon,” Pilachowski said.
October’s supermoon will be roughly 224,107 miles away from our planet, according to NASA.
Supermoons usually occur in threes, says IU professor
“Supermoons generally occur in threes — that is, in three consecutive full moons because the orientation of the moon’s orbit changes fairly slowly,” Pilachowski said in a message to IndyStar.
“In 2025 these supermoons occur in October, November, and December. Last year the supermoons occurred in September, October, and November,” Pilachowski said.
When are the remaining supermoons of 2025?
Pilachowski said the next two supermoons will occur on Nov. 5 and Dec. 4 of 2025.
How big are supermoons?
Supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year. Visually, that might not leave much of an impression, but the proximity of a supermoon has an effect on Earth, causing higher tides than normal.
Why is it called the Harvest Moon?
The full moon closest to the Autumnal equinox is called the Harvest moon. It often falls in September, but every three years or so, the Harvest Moon is in October. Late summer to early fall is a time for harvesting in much of the United States.
Other names for October’s full moon
October’s full moon is more commonly referred to as the Hunter’s Moon. Other names from Native American tribes include the Drying Rice Moon, Freezing Moon and Migrating Moon.
Story continues after photo gallery.
What are the moon phases in October 2025?
The moon’s phases in October are:
Draconid meteor shower happens in October during harvest supermoon
As October’s supermoon shines, the first of two meteor showers will streak across the northern sky this month.
From Oct. 6-10, you might be able to catch the Draconid meteor shower, which comes from burning debris left by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, according to NASA.
To find the Draconids, look toward the northern sky and find the constellation Draco. If skies are dark, you might be able to see up to 10 meteors per hour. Granted, the supermoon might make viewing difficult.
Not to worry though, say scientists at NASA, because another meteor shower happens in October well after the supermoon has faded.
The Orionids meteor shower from Halley’s Comet begin October 2025
A more promising meteor shower — the Orionids — will peak Oct. 21, bringing up to 20 meteors per hour, writes NASA, which are debris trailing off Halley’s Comet.
When to watch the Orionids
Astronomers say your best bet to catch the Orionids will happen before midnight, Oct. 21, until roughly 2 a.m. This meteor shower will stretch on for another few weeks until Nov. 22, but late October is the best time to watch.
Need help finding stars, planets and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps
The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.
Indiana’s best places to stargaze
If possible, head to Beverly Shores, near Gary, which is an International Dark Sky location and therefore an excellent place for stargazing.
You can also travel to Kemil Beach at Indiana Dunes State Park and Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Michigan, which also are designated dark sky locations, according to DarkSky International.
Remaining full moons in 2025
Astronomical events happening in October 2025, per NASA
NASA has these skywatching tips for October:
How to stargaze in Indiana, or anywhere
Experts recommend you do the following to get the most out of the experience:
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What time is the October harvest supermoon? Will skies be clear in Indiana?
Reporting by John Tufts, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
