What’s Up: October 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA
**Skywatching Highlights for October: Supermoons and Meteor Showers**
October is an exciting month for skywatchers, featuring a stunning supermoon and two spectacular meteor showers: the Draconids and the Orionids. On the evening of October 6, the full moon will shine brighter and larger than usual, appearing about 30% brighter and up to 14% larger than a standard full moon. This phenomenon, known as a supermoon, occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, or perigee, coinciding with the full moon phase. This year, the timing is particularly special as it follows closely on the heels of “International Observe the Moon Night” on October 4, an event that encourages enthusiasts worldwide to celebrate and observe our natural satellite. Whether hosting a moon-viewing party or simply stepping outside to gaze at the moon, this celestial event is a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow stargazers.
In addition to the supermoon, skywatchers can look forward to the Draconid meteor shower peaking around October 8. Originating from the debris of comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, this meteor shower can produce up to 10 meteors per hour, with meteors appearing to radiate from the constellation Draco. However, the brightness of the supermoon may hinder visibility for this shower, so those eager to catch a glimpse may need to find a dark location away from city lights. If you miss the Draconids, don’t fret; the Orionid meteor shower will peak on October 21, offering a dazzling display of about 20 meteors per hour. This shower is associated with the debris from Halley’s Comet, and its peak coincides with a new moon, providing ideal dark sky conditions for viewing.
For the best experience, skywatchers should head to a dark location after sunset, looking towards the southeast in the northern hemisphere and northeast in the southern hemisphere. The Orionids, known for their bright and fast meteors, will appear to emanate from the Orion constellation but can be seen streaking across the sky in various directions. With the combination of a supermoon and two meteor showers, October presents a unique opportunity for both novice and seasoned astronomers to indulge in the beauty of the night sky. So grab your blankets, find a cozy spot, and get ready to marvel at the wonders above!
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A supermoon, and meteor showers from the Draconids and Orionids
A supermoon takes over the sky, the Draconid meteor shower peeks through, and the Orionid meteor shower shines bright.
Skywatching Highlights
Oct. 6: The October supermoon
Oct. 6-10: The Draconid meteor shower
Oct. 21: The Orionid meteor shower peaks (full duration Sept. 26 – Nov. 22)
Transcript
What’s Up for October? A Supermoon takes over, the Draconid meteor shower peeks through, and the Orionid meteors sparkle across the night sky.
The evening of October 6, look up and be amazed as the full moon is bigger and brighter because – it’s a supermoon!
Illustrated infographic showing the difference (as seen from Earth) between perigee, when a supermoon appears, and apogee, when a micromoon appears.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
This evening, the moon could appear to be about 30% brighter and up to 14% larger than a typical full moon. But why?
Supermoons happen when a new moon or a full moon coincides with “perigee,” which is when the moon is at its closest to Earth all month.
So this is an exceptionally close full moon! Which explains its spectacular appearance.
And what timing – while the supermoon appears on October 6th, just a couple of days before on October 4th is “International Observe the Moon Night”!
It’s an annual, worldwide event when Moon enthusiasts come together to enjoy our natural satellite.You can attend or host a moon-viewing party, or simply observe the Moon from wherever you are.
So look up, and celebrate the moon along with people all around the world!
The supermoon will light up the sky on October 6th, but if you luck into some dark sky between October 6th and 10th, you might witness the first of two October meteor showers – the Draconids!
The Draconid meteor shower comes from debris trailing the comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
These meteors originate from nearby the head of the constellation Draco the dragon in the northern sky and the shower can produce up to 10 meteors per hour!
The Draconids peak around October 8th, but if you don’t see any, you can always blame the bright supermoon and wait a few weeks until the next meteor shower – the Orionids!
Sky chart showing the Draconid meteor shower, including the radiant point of the shower and the Draco constellation where the meteors in the shower are often seen and stem from.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
The Orionid meteor shower, peaking October 21, is set to put on a spectacular show, shooting about 20 meteors per hour across the night sky.
This meteor shower happens when Earth travels through the debris trailing behind Halley’s Comet and it burns up in our atmosphere.
The full duration of the meteor shower stretches from September 26 to November 22, but your best bet to see meteors is on October 21 before midnight until around 2 am.
Sky chart showing the Orionid meteor shower, including the radiant point of the shower and the Orion constellation where the meteors in the shower are often seen and stem from.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
This is because, not only is this night the shower’s peak, it is also the October new moon, meaning the moon will be between the Earth and the Sun, making it dark and invisible to us.
With a moonless sky, you’re much more likely to catch a fireball careening through the night.
So find a dark location after the sun has set, look to the southeast sky (if you’re in the northern hemisphere) and the northeast (if you’re in the southern hemisphere) and enjoy!
Orionid meteors appear to come from the direction of the Orion constellation but you might catch them all across the sky.
Here are the phases of the Moon for October.
You can stay up to date on all of NASA’s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov.
I’m Chelsea Gohd from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that’s What’s Up for this month.
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