San Francisco, CA – Northern California residents are in for a brilliant night sky show Tuesday as a Super Harvest Moon rises over San Francisco, Sacramento, and Redding, appearing up to 30% brighter and larger than a typical full moon.
According to astronomers, the event merges a supermoon—when the Moon reaches its closest point to Earth—with the Harvest Moon, the full moon nearest the autumn equinox. The combination produces one of the brightest and most visually striking moons of the year, glowing in deep shades of orange and gold as it rises.
The Moon reaches full illumination at 3:48 a.m. GMT (8:48 p.m. PDT Monday), but the best viewing will be just after sunset Tuesday, when it climbs over the eastern horizon. This marks only the 18th early-October Harvest Moon in the past 80 years, making it a rare and memorable event.
Forecasts show mostly clear skies across much of Northern California, with excellent visibility expected from the Bay Area to the Central Valley and into the northern mountains. For the best views, experts suggest finding open spaces or hilltops away from city lights—perfect spots include Mount Tamalpais, Folsom Lake, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Where will you be watching the Super Harvest Moon? Share your photos and viewing tips below!
