Three 2025 supermoons will light the sky
Payton Counts
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Monday kicks off a stretch of back-to-back-to-back supermoons.
Weather permitting for northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri, the full moon will reach peak illumination around 10:47 p.m. CT.
Even if the clouds are blocking our view, Monday’s full moon holds a special meaning.
Every full moon has a name that dates back to Native American and Colonial times, passed down through generations, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The Old Farmer’s Almanac began publishing these names in the 1930s.
Some of the more well-known full moons from earlier this year include the Sturgeon Moon in August, the Strawberry Moon in June and the Flower Moon in May.
Monday’s full moon is known interchangeably as the Harvest Moon and the Hunter’s Moon. The Harvest Moon is tied to the timing of the autumnal equinox, while the Hunter’s Moon is the full moon that follows it.
Because this moon falls closest to the fall equinox and appears in early October, it’s being recognized as the Harvest Moon.
Brian Bucklein, associate professor of astronomy and physics at Missouri Western State University, said, “Each moon has this kind of traditional name associated with it…September’s is the corn moon, the October full moon is usually called the Hunter’s moon….whichever one the Harvest Moon falls into replaces that one.”
The Harvest Moon got its name because farmers once used its bright light to work later into the night during harvest season. The Hunter’s Moon, meanwhile, signified a time to prepare for winter by hunting and gathering food.
Both names are used interchangeably this year. Major outlets like USA Today are calling it the Harvest Moon, while ABC News is using Hunter’s Moon.
Even if you miss Monday night’s supermoon, Bucklein said, “You’ll still be able to catch the full moon, the day before and the day after. It’ll still look pretty full. It’s just a sliver off from being fully illuminated, so, it’ll still be good for viewing”
Either way, the moon will shine bright — even if clouds end up obscuring the view. But don’t worry, two more supermoons are still on the way, with the next one appearing in early November.