Amman: Jordan's night sky will witness a rare celestial event on Tuesday as the first and brightest "supermoon" of 2025, also known as the "Harvest Moon," reaches full illumination, offering a striking view for sky watchers and photographers.
According to Jordan News Agency, the supermoon will appear just after sunset with a reddish glow and will be the largest and most luminous of the year. Ammar Sakaji, President of the Jordanian Astronomical Society, stated that the phenomenon will reach its full phase at 6:47 a.m. on Tuesday, approximately ten minutes after moonset on the western horizon, while positioned in the constellation Pisces. Two additional supermoons are anticipated on November 5 and December 4.
Sakaji further explained that the Harvest Moon derives its name from its proximity to the autumn equinox, a term rooted in Anglo-Saxon agricultural traditions. Due to its low position on the horizon, the moon will appear ideal for photography, setting at 6:36 a.m. and rising again at 6:17 p.m., with timing variations based on location and elevation.
He added that the moon will remain visible almost the entire night, as its rise nearly coincides with sunset, creating optimal viewing conditions. The supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the lunar perigee, its closest point to Earth, making it appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.
Sakaji noted that the moon's distance on Tuesday will be 361,458 km, compared with its next apogee of 406,445 km, making this event a true supermoon by astronomical standards. While the stronger gravitational pull slightly increases tidal ranges by up to 18 cm in the Gulf of Aqaba, he clarified that the phenomenon causes no environmental or climatic disruptions.
Astrophysicist Ali Taani from Al-Balqa Applied University mentioned that 2025 will feature three supermoons, providing multiple opportunities to enjoy the spectacle. The largest of these will occur on November 25, when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth this year.
Astrophotographer Mahmoud Abdulhadi described the supermoon as one of nature's most visually captivating scenes, urging photographers to choose scenic vantage points such as mountain peaks or open horizons to capture its grandeur. He emphasized that aligning the moon with archaeological or religious landmarks can transform an ordinary photograph into a powerful visual story.