IN THE SKY: Central Florida’s month of meteors, moons and more

ORLANDO, FL – The full moon on Oct. 6 has passed, and it coincided with its closest approach to Earth, making it a supermoon.

This “Harvest Moon” appeared up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual, creating a breathtaking sight in the night sky.

Share your photos with News 6 by posting them on PinIt! Here are some pictures we received of the “Harvest Moon:”

There are plenty of other stunning celestial events to watch for this month, as well.

🌌 Orionid Meteor Shower – Oct. 21–22

The Orionid meteor shower peaks on the nights of Oct. 21–22, and it’s famous for its bright, fast-moving shooting stars. This year, the peak happens right around a new moon, which means the skies will be nice and dark—perfect for spotting these dazzling meteors, which actually come from Halley’s Comet. To catch the show, find a dark spot away from city lights and look toward the Orion constellation after midnight.

☄️ Comet SWAN & Lemmon – Oct. 21

Around Oct. 21, 2025, two comets—SWAN and Lemmon—will make their closest approach to Earth, offering a rare and exciting skywatching opportunity. What makes this even more special is that their arrival lines up with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower and a new moon, giving us dark skies perfect for spotting both the comets and shooting stars. After sunset, you can look toward the southwestern sky to catch Comet SWAN, while Comet Lemmon will be visible in the northwestern sky. With a little luck and maybe some binoculars, this double-comet show could be visible to the naked eye here in the Northern Hemisphere.

🌑 New Moon – Oct. 21

The new moon on Oct. 21 gave us beautifully dark skies, making it easier to catch stunning celestial events like the Orionid meteor shower and comet sightings. As the start of a new lunar cycle, this moon phase created the perfect backdrop for some truly amazing stargazing.

🔭 Mercury at Greatest Elongation – Oct. 29

On Oct. 29, Mercury reached its greatest eastern elongation, meaning it was at its farthest point from the Sun in the evening sky—making it one of the best times to spot the planet. Just after sunset, look toward the western horizon where Mercury will be shining bright. Keep an eye out nearby, too—Mars will be close by, adding to the evening’s celestial show. So head outside during twilight, glance west, and enjoy the view.