Harvest moon 2023, the last supermoon of the year, kicks off fall stargazing on Sept. 29
By Joe Rao published about 11 hours ago
The stunning sight can be seen in the sky during very early hours on Friday.
The Full Harvest Moon is seen behind the silhouette of a television antenna in Marseille, France on Sept. 11, 2022. (Image credit: SOPA/Getty Images)
This Fridays full moon will be a somewhat special one in that it will carry the title of "Harvest Moon" for those living in the Northern Hemisphere.
The moon officially will turn full when it reaches a spot in the sky opposite (180-degrees) to the sun. This moment will occur on Friday (Sept. 29) at 09:57 Greenwich Time (or in the Eastern Time zone, just prior to moonset at 5:57 a.m.).
It also turns out that this full moon is the one that comes closest to the September equinox. In 2023, this circumstance comes a bit later than usual. While most traditionally associate the Harvest Moon with the month of September, there are some years where it falls in the month of October. Between 1970 and 2050, for instance, there are 18 years when the Harvest Moon comes in October. The last time was in 2020 and next time will be in 2025.
The Harvest Moon can occur as early as Sept. 8 (as it did in 2014) or as late as Oct. 7 (as it will in 2025). This Harvest Moon will also mark the last of four so-called "supermoons" in a row.
More:
https://www.space.com/harvest-full-moon-will-illuminate-the-sky-on-september-29