Sky gazers can look forward to a delightful sight this month: The full moon in September, known as the “harvest” moon, will also be a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter than a typical full moon.

The full moon is set to occur on Tuesday night, September 17, 2024, at 10:35 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. It will look full for about three days, from Monday night until Thursday morning.

Moreover, on the night of the full moon, a partial lunar eclipse will take place, making it an even more exciting experience for stargazers.

What Makes It the ‘Harvest’ Moon?

The term “harvest moon” refers to the full moon that appears closest to the fall equinox, which this year falls on September 22.

This name has historical significance as it marked the time when crops were ready for harvest. “Before the invention of tractors with headlights, farmers relied on moonlight to bring in their crops quickly before the rain could spoil them,” explained Alan MacRobert, an editor at Sky & Telescope magazine.

As many crops mature in late summer and early autumn, farmers worked tirelessly during this busy season, often after sunset. Thus, the moonlight became an essential ally in farming, leading to the origin of the harvest moon.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “harvest moon” was first recorded in 1706, as noted by NASA.

Why Is It a ‘Supermoon’?

A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual.

During this close approach, the moon appears slightly larger and brighter than it normally does.

“Different sources have varying definitions for what distance qualifies as a supermoon,” notes NASA. “Since the moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, its distance from Earth can vary.”

On average, a supermoon looks around 7% bigger and about 15% brighter than a regular full moon.

This event marks the second of four consecutive supermoons: The next ones will occur on October 17 and November 15.

Partial Lunar Eclipse Also on Display

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow casts over the moon, which can either dim it or give it a striking red hue over a few hours, NASA explains. The upcoming partial lunar eclipse on September 17 will happen due to an imperfect alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, leading to only a portion of the moon being shadowed by Earth.

The peak of the eclipse will take place on Tuesday at 10:44 p.m. ET, at which point the upper 8 percent of the moon will be in complete shadow.

The next total lunar eclipse that will be visible from the Americas will occur on March 14, 2025.

Contributing: Steve Howe, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle