2023 has truly been a year for skygazers and astrology enthusiasts. August treated us to not one but two supermoons, one of which was a rare “Blue Moon.” Now the fourth and final supermoon of the year is set to rise later this month and it’s a pretty special one too. The September supermoon will be this year’s “Harvest Moon” which is when a full moon occurs closest to the northern hemisphere’s autumnal equinox.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon is simply a full moon but larger and brighter than usual. It happens when the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time it is full, according to NASA.
When will the last supermoon of 2023 be visible?
Next Friday, September 29, will be the last supermoon of 2023. The supermoon won’t be as big and bright as the August supermoon but it will be brighter than the average full moon.
Why is it called the Harvest Moon?
The term refers to the full moon that occurs closest to the start of autumn. The moon got its name due to its bright light which helped farmers harvest their crops late into the night. The name dates from the time before electricity, according to NASA.
What is the best time to see the Harvest Moon?
Moonrise is the best time to see the moon at its brightest. If the skies are clear, you should have no problem seeing the supermoon. The moon will appear bright the day before and after.
While this may be the last supermoon of the year, October presents an equally exciting time with two celestial events to look forward to. There’s an annular solar eclipse on October 14 in the Americas where the sun will appear as a “ring of fire” in the sky. This will be followed by a partial lunar eclipse on October 28 which will be visible from the eastern Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.