The Harvest Moon Will Light Up The Sky Tonight

3 months ago

Wondering why the moon looks so big? Here's the answer...

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September’s full moon will rise into the sky tonight, casting a celestial glow over the nation. However, this isn’t just any full moon: tonight we will see the Harvest Moon. Also known as the Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Autumn Moon and Falling Leaves Moon, here’s exactly what a Harvest Moon is, and the history behind it.

What Is A Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the full moon of September, appearing annually. It gets its name from harvest season, when farmers head out into the night to get a head start on harvesting their crops – and the moon shines so brightly, they can continue working unimpeded. Also known as the ‘corn moon’ or ‘barley moon’ for the crops in question, the Harvest Moon sometimes comes with a slightly golden appearance, making it a treasured sight for modern and ancient farmers alike, and in Native American cultures, too.

Traditionally, the Harvest Moon name refers to the first full moon after the autumnal equinox. This year, however, the shiny moon will appear early in the morning of 18 September 2024 – four days before the autumn equinox on 22 September.

Why Does The Moon Look So Big?

The Harvest Moon is a full moon – but that’s not why it looks so large. The moon looks so big because it is a supermoon, a rare lunar phenomenon in which the moon appears larger and brighter because it is in fact a bit closer to Earth thanks to its elliptical orbit. You can read all about what that means here. That means tonight we will see a Harvest Moon and a Supermoon all rolled into one. Add a partial lunar eclipse into the mix, and it’s a pretty bumper day for stargazers.

Where & When To See It

While the full moon peaks in the early hours of Wednesday 18 September, the best time to witness this lunar marvel will be shortly after sunset at around 11pm, when the moon rises above the eastern horizon and appears largest in the sky, casting its glow across the landscape.

Areas away from city lights and light pollution will offer the best views, such as parks, open fields, or the countryside, where the eastern horizon is unobstructed. Locations like Edinburgh or cities and countryside across northern England are predicted to have excellent viewing conditions.

How To Celebrate The Harvest Moon

There are several options to mark the full moon. How about embarking on a moon ritual to harness the power of the moon, and making some moon water? Or having a family campout? Or you could simply going to bed, let it pass you by, and wake up refreshed on Wednesday 18 September – and perhaps pick up some goodies from a local farm shop to support the harvest.