As the evenings get longer and the air turns cooler in the Northern Hemisphere, a brilliantly bright and orange-hued moon will make its appearance in the night sky.

The Harvest Moon, known for inspiring various cultural references – from video games to iconic songs – happens each year around the beginning of autumn, when our moon is particularly close to Earth.

This moon rises just after sunset and reaches its full brightness earlier, granting farmers additional daylight hours to work and providing a spectacular view for enthusiasts across the hemisphere.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s super Harvest Moon and when to catch a glimpse of this celestial event as it is partially dimmed by Earth’s shadow.

What is a Harvest Moon?

In contrast to other full moon names, the Harvest Moon does not belong to a specific month; it appears around the autumnal equinox each year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Therefore, it can fall in either September or October, based on the lunar cycle and the Gregorian calendar.

This year, the autumnal equinox is on Sunday, Sept. 22, but the Harvest Moon is already illuminating the night sky.

When to See the Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon rose on Monday and will be visible for three nights, concluding in the early hours of Thursday, as stated by the Almanac.

The peak brightness of the moon is expected at 10:34 P.M. EDT on Tuesday.

Why is it Called the Harvest Moon?

In the nights leading up to the autumnal equinox, the moon rises earlier than usual, creating a greater amount of light shortly after sunset.

This additional light has historically given farmers more time to gather their crops, leading to the name “Harvest Moon.”

Fall is a particularly hectic season for farmers as they work late into the night to collect the summer harvest, according to NASA. Thus, moonlight became a crucial aspect of farming.

Nasa states that the term “Harvest Moon” was first noted in writing in 1706, as per the Oxford English Dictionary.

What Does the Harvest Moon Look Like?

Many skywatchers believe that the Harvest Moon looks larger, brighter, and more orange than a typical full moon.

However, according to EarthSky, an astronomy-focused website, this perception may be due in part to an optical illusion. Our brains interpret the view in a way that can make the moon seem bigger when it’s near the horizon compared to when it’s higher in the sky, NASA explains.

As most people observe the full Harvest Moon shortly after it rises, it naturally appears larger, just like any full moon would. Its closeness to the horizon also contributes to its orange tint, as viewers are looking through a larger section of Earth’s atmosphere compared to when looking straight up.

The moon’s oval-shaped orbit around Earth means its distance changes each year, affecting how large it appears in the sky.

Harvest Moon with Partial Lunar Eclipse and Supermoon

This year, the Harvest Moon coincides not only with a full supermoon but also a partial lunar eclipse.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon aligns with the moon’s closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. A lunar eclipse takes place when Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon. This week, these three celestial bodies will almost perfectly align, leading to a partial lunar eclipse as Earth’s shadow partially obscures the moon.

This partial lunar eclipse should be visible on Tuesday night throughout the northern hemisphere, including North America. All lower 48 states in the U.S. are expected to get a good view.

NASA notes that the moon will enter Earth’s partial shadow at 8:41 PM EDT, but it’s

Observers will definitely want to catch the most striking moment of the eclipse. The moon will begin to subtly dim at 10:13 p.m., but the main event will reach its peak at 10:44 p.m.

Contributors: Doyle Rice, YSL News