This Friday’s full moon promises to be an extraordinary sight for those in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the “Harvest Moon.” To catch this celestial event, step outside during the early hours of Friday.
On the evenings of September 28 and 29, take a moment to observe the sky. Look towards the eastern horizon at dusk to spot an almost-full moon rising. Then, just before dawn, turn your gaze towards the western horizon to witness the Super Harvest Full Moon as it sets. This moon will shine a bit brighter due to it being the fourth consecutive supermoon.
The Super Harvest Full Moon will officially occur at 5:57 a.m. EDT on Friday. This means we’ll have the chance to see the Harvest Moon almost precisely at the time it happens, as the moon will set at 7:12 a.m. EDT.
Also, keep an eye out for the moon rising on Friday night along the eastern horizon at around 7:19 p.m. EDT. It will still be very bright and considered the Harvest Moon since it falls on the actual full moon date.
But what exactly is a super full Harvest Moon?
A supermoon is a special type of full moon that can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year. This is because it’s at its closest point to Earth, known as perigee, according to NASA.
This upcoming supermoon will be approximately 224,854 miles from Earth and will look about 5% bigger and 13% brighter than the average full moon in 2023.
When can we see the supermoon rise, and how long will it last?
The supermoon will rise on Thursday night and into Friday.
How can you watch the supermoon?
While the supermoon is visible to the naked eye, lunar enthusiasts can use binoculars or telescopes for a closer look. NASA suggests using binoculars with a minimum magnification of seven and a tripod with the binoculars at a magnification of 10 or 15.
And why is it called the Harvest Moon?
This full moon is also known as the Corn Moon or Harvest Moon, signifying its proximity to the autumnal equinox, which occurred on September 23 this year.
