In this guide we’ll reveal what the Harvest Moon<\/a> is, where the term originates and when to observe it.<\/p> For more advice, read our guides on observing the Moon<\/a> and how to make the most of a full Moon<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> The full Moon of 29 September occurs 32 hours 52 minutes after lunar perigee, the point where the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit.<\/p> This is less than a week after the September equinox – the autumn equinox<\/a> – which occurred at 07:50 BST (06:50 UT) on 23 September.<\/p> As the 29 September full Moon is the closest full Moon to the equinox, it\u2019s the Harvest Moon for 2023.\u00a0<\/p> The Harvest Moon\u2019s name is quite appropriate in that it references a real effect.<\/p> During its near-to-full phases around the September equinox, the differences in time between moonrises from one day to the next are at a minimum.<\/p> This is a consequence of the geometric combination of Earth\u2019s orbit around the Sun<\/a> and the Moon\u2019s orbit around Earth.<\/p> This is a minimal difference, typically less than 15 minutes between September moonrise times from one evening to the next.<\/p> It contrasts with when differences are at their maximum: there\u2019s over an hour between moonrise times at the fuller phases near to the March equinox.<\/p> Rising at similar times in September, the fuller phases of the Moon light the fields for harvest collection, hence the name.<\/p> You may hear some saying the Harvest Moon is bigger or brighter than other full Moons, but this isn’t the case.<\/p> Nevertheless, events like these are a great ‘in’ for people who normally might not take the time to look up at the Moon.<\/p> Here are some ways to enjoy the Harvest Moon.<\/p> You could note the rise time of the Moon in the days before and after the Harvest Moon, calculating the differences.<\/p> Observe the next full Moon after the Harvest Moon and you should see a similar pattern in rise times for its fuller phases.<\/p> Watching a bright full Moon rise is a great way to experience the Moon illusion<\/a>.<\/p> This is when the full Moon appears enormous when close to the horizon.<\/p> This may be due to an optical illusion that makes the Moon look bigger when it\u2019s lower down near the horizon.<\/p> At the time of year when the Harvest Moon is in the sky, the Sun goes down almost due west, so the full Moon rises near to due east.<\/p> As the Moon rises, you should notice an ochre red colour, particularly when it\u2019s low on the horizon.<\/p> This is a result of the Moon\u2019s light being filtered as it travels through more of the Earth\u2019s atmosphere than when it\u2019s overhead.<\/p> And because red light is scattered least by the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, the Moon should take on a mesmerising red colour.<\/p> Find out more about this in our guide on why the Moon sometimes looks orange<\/a>.<\/p> If you have a low and clear horizon, you’ll have a better change of seeing the Harvest Moon rising: a fantastic sight that heralds the start of autumn.<\/p> Don’t wait until 29 September to step outside and look up at the bright Harvest Moon: get observing it throughout the month.<\/p> On 4 September<\/strong>, catch the 70%-lit waning gibbous Moon rising near mag. \u20132.5 Jupiter around 22:00 BST (21:00 UT).<\/p> Follow this Moon through into the morning of 5 September<\/strong> and you\u2019ll see a lunar occultation of mag. 4.3 Botein (Delta (\u03b4) Arietis) at around 04:44 BST (03:44 UT).<\/p> Later that evening, the now 60%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 2.2\u00b0 from the Pleiades<\/a> open cluster.\u00a0<\/p> On the evening of 7 September<\/strong>, there\u2019s an opportunity to spot the odd and not immediately obvious region on the Moon that creates a clair-obsur effect known as Gruithuisen\u2019s Lunar City.<\/p> It\u2019s perhaps grander in name than in appearance, but still worth looking for.<\/p>Why this week’s full Moon is a Harvest Moon<\/strong><\/h2>
What you’ll see<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"The](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/equinox-2023.jpg?fit=800,550\")
![\"Harvest](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/11\/09.HarvestMoonNYChiragUpreti-5b3b677.jpg\")
How to see the September Harvest Moon<\/strong><\/h2>
Compare the Harvest Moon with other Moons<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"The](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2020\/12\/GettyImages-564579025-a099402.jpg\")
See the Moon illusion<\/strong><\/h3>
Notice the Harvest Moon’s orange\/red colour<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"An](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1270175800-45d478a-e1661853896700.jpg\")
Observing the Moon throughout September<\/strong> 2023<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/thin-crescent-moon.jpg?fit=800,534\")