Monday, October 6, 2025

Harvest supermoon, lunar close encounters, and Medusa's pulsing eye

A bright supermoon lights up the week, meeting the Seven Sisters before fading toward Perseus
Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version
 
October 6, 2025
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Night Sky This Week
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What's Up This Week?
 
Hello skywatchers!

This week opens with a spectacular full Harvest supermoon, the first supermoon of 2025. As it crosses the autumn skies, the moon will glide past the famous Pleiades star cluster and reveal delicate details across its surface. Later in the week, look toward Perseus to catch Algol, the "eye of Medusa," dim and brighten in its eerie rhythm. Whether you're a moon lover, a star chaser, or both, October's night sky is full of celestial drama.

Here's what to watch for this week.

Clear skies,
Daisy
Reference Editor, Space.com

 
Monday, Oct. 6 — Full Harvest supermoon (all night)
(Starry Night)
Monday, Oct. 6 — Full Harvest supermoon (all night)
The Harvest Moon rises just after sunset, reaching full phase at 11:48 p.m. EDT (0348 GMT on Oct. 7). This is the first of three consecutive supermoons, appearing about 4% larger and 13% brighter than average.
Full Story: Space (10/1)
 
Thursday, Oct. 9 — Bright moon kisses the Seven Sisters (overnight)
(Starry Night)
Thursday, Oct. 9 — Bright moon kisses the Seven Sisters (overnight)

Look east around 9 p.m. local time to see the bright moon near the Pleiades star cluster — also known as the Seven Sisters or Messier 45. Binoculars will frame the scene beautifully. To spot the cluster's blue stars more clearly, move the moon just outside your field of view.

 
Full Story: Space (10/1)
 
Friday, Oct. 10 — Subtle wrinkles on Nectaris and Tranquillitatis (overnight)
(Starry Night)
Friday, Oct. 10 — Subtle wrinkles on Nectaris and Tranquillitatis (overnight)

The waning gibbous moon reveals fine details along its eastern edge. Through binoculars or a telescope, look for faint wrinkle ridges curving across the dark seas of Mare Nectaris and Mare Tranquillitatis, created by ancient volcanic and tectonic activity.

 
Full Story: Space (10/1)
 
Sunday, Oct. 12 — Medusa's eye pulses (all night)
(Starry Night)
Sunday, Oct. 12 — Medusa's eye pulses (all night)

The variable star Algol in Perseus dims and brightens in a regular 10-hour cycle, representing the blinking "eye of Medusa." On Sunday night, it begins to fade around 7:42 p.m. EDT (2342 GMT) and reaches minimum brightness five hours later while high in the eastern sky. Watch it and nearby stars like Almach and Rho Persei to see the difference.

 
Full Story: Space (10/1)
 
 
 
 
Moon Calendar
 
Space.com
Notable Moon Phase This Week: Full Harvest supermoon

The Harvest supermoon on Oct. 6 is one of the most anticipated full moons of the year. Occurring closest to the autumn equinox, it shines in or near the stars of Pisces and Cetus, rising almost the same time each evening. As the first of three supermoons, it appears slightly larger and brighter than average, bathing the landscape in golden light. 

Want to explore more? Check out our ultimate guide to observing the moon for tips and tools to get the most out of each phase.
Full Story: Space (2/22)
 
 
 
 
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