A rare lunar hat-trick is taking place this spring and early summer: three consecutive supermoons will rise on 7 October, 5 November and 4 December 2025.
If you look up this evening, the first supermoon, dubbed the Hunter's Moon, will rise over the horizon at 7.31pm SAST - and will be visible across South Africa - include these vantage points in Johannesburg.
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town is hosting a series of night tours, stargazing sessions and open nights to celebrate the season’s starry skies - perfectly timed for the 7 October supermoon too.
Visitors can join guided evening tours of the historic Main Building and McClean Museum, enjoy astronomy talks, and stargaze through telescopes (all weather permitting of course). The events run on select nights until 25 October, with gates opening at 7:30 PM for an 8–10 PM programme.
Bookings details: visit saao.ac.za/visit-capetown
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Here’s what to look for with the upcoming supermoons:
A supermoon occurs when a full Moon coincides with the point in its elliptical orbit closest to Earth - known as perigee, according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
This makes it appear up to 14% larger and about 30% brighter than when it’s at its farthest - known as apogee. Though to the naked eye the size difference can be subtle.
For the best Cape Town views, head to open horizons such as Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Bloubergstrand, Muizenberg Beach or the Atlantic Seaboard and try to catch the Moon near moonrise or moonset, when the classic “Moon illusion” can make it look dramatically larger.
- 7 October – Hunter’s/Harvest Moon: Rises around 7.31pm SAST. Historically called the Hunter’s Moon because its light once helped farmers gather crops and hunters prepare for winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The Centre for Astronomy Heritage, a South African non-profit has suggested a more regionally fitting name for local sky-watchers in the Southern Hemisphere: the Whale Moon.
- 5 November – Beaver Moon: Rises around 7.34pm SAST. The name dates back to the season when beavers built dams and stocked food ahead of the freeze.
- 4 December – Cold Moon: Rises around 7.39pm SAST. Traditionally marked the approach of the coldest, darkest weeks of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Time Out Tip: Check local moonrise times on timeanddate.com - they can vary slightly by location and date.
ICYMI: Stellar Blood Moon Rises over Table Mountain Cableway
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