The Harvest Moon, the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, will be visible this weekend alongside the planet Saturn.
Key facts
- •The moon reaches its fullest point on Saturday, September 26, at 17:49 BST or 12:49 p.m. EDT.
- •Saturn will be visible near the moon and can be seen without a telescope.
- •The moon's appearance in the eastern sky may be tinted yellow, orange, or red due to atmospheric scattering.
- •The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, which took place on September 22.
- •The next full moon, the Hunter's Moon, is expected on October 25 or 26.
The Harvest Moon will reach its peak fullness on Saturday, September 26, appearing in the constellation Pisces. While the moon officially reaches its fullest point at 17:49 BST (12:49 p.m. EDT), it will be best viewed as it rises in the eastern sky shortly after sunset. Observers will also be able to see the planet Saturn, which will appear close to the moon throughout the evening.
Origins and Characteristics
The Harvest Moon is traditionally defined as the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, which occurred on September 22. Historically, the moon was named for the extra illumination it provided to farmers gathering crops, as the moon's path at this time of year results in a smaller delay in moonrise times from one night to the next. In some traditions, it is also referred to as the Corn Moon and coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese and Vietnamese communities.
Viewing Conditions
When the moon rises near the horizon, it may appear yellow, orange, or red because its light travels through more of the Earth's atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths. In the UK, weather forecasts suggest clearer skies for southern and eastern regions, while cloud cover and rain may affect parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Across North America, observers can expect to see the moon rise on both Saturday and Sunday, with the Sunday moonrise occurring approximately 25 minutes later than on Saturday.
Timeline
- September 22The autumn equinox occurred.
- September 26The Harvest Moon reaches its fullest point and rises in the eastern sky.
- September 27The moon rises again, roughly 25 minutes later than the previous evening in North America.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment, Live Science.
