What is the Harvest Moon? How to see the last supermoon of 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Skygazers worldwide eagerly await the appearance of the Harvest Moon as autumn approaches. The September full moon will be the last of four consecutive supermoons.
According to NASA, the supermoon phenomenon happens when the moon is full and its orbit is closest to Earth. The forthcoming supermoon will be approximately 224,854 miles away from Earth; this distance can range from roughly 221,457 miles to 252,712 miles.
What is the significance of the upcoming Harvest Moon?
According to NASA, the "Harvest" moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox.
According to the Farmer's Almanac, September is a significant month for crop harvesting in the Northern Hemisphere. The "Harvest" moon can appear in October sometimes.
The Harvest Moon is related to various festivals and traditions in many cultures. In East Asia, for example, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate the harvest with family and friends under the full moon.
As a result, the Harvest Moon is more than just a celestial event; it is also a sign of hard work, abundance, and the change of seasons.
The full moons in August were dubbed the "Sturgeon Moon" and "Blue Moon." The forthcoming full moon in October will be known as the "Hunter's Moon."
Supermoons typically have a brightness that is 16% higher than a regular moon. Additionally, they appear larger than the typical full moon. It is comparable to the size difference between a quarter and a nickel, according to NASA, per CBS News.
The supermoon this month will be 13% brighter and 5% bigger than the typical full moon in 2023. The largest super blue moon of the year occurred in August.
When to see the Harvest Supermoon?
The supermoon will rise between Thursday night, September 28, and Friday morning, September 29. As per the Farmer's Almanac, it will peak around 5:58 am EDT on Friday.
The US Navy moonrise calendar can be used to determine specific times for your location.
Where can you see the Harvest Supermoon?
If the sky is clear, anybody in the world can witness the Harvest Supermoon, which will be the biggest and most luminous object in the night sky. The moonrise during dusk will be the ideal time to see it.
Locate an area with a clear view of the horizon and take in the show! Keep in mind that depending on where you live, the exact time of moonrise can differ, so it's a good idea to look up a local lunar calendar for accurate viewing times.
On Friday, September 29, sunset in New York is at 6:43 pm EDT, and moonrise is at 7:01 pm EDT. The full Moon is at 4:59 am EDT.
Sunset in Los Angeles is at 6:42 pm PDT, and moonrise is at 7:05 pm PDT. The full Moon is at 1:59 a.m. PDT.
How to take clear photos of Harvest Supermoon?
NASA claims that all you have to do is go outside and gaze up. A telescope or binoculars will magnify and clarify details on the moon's surface.
If you want to take pictures of the moon, NASA recommends using something to steady your phone or camera. Turn off the flash and point the camera at the moon rather than the sky.
Using a timer can assist you in preventing shaking the phone or camera while taking a photo. Photographs can also be taken through the eyepiece of a telescope.
