Have you seen it?
That gorgeous full moon?
We've heard people calling it a "harvest moon", which brought up the question...what is a harvest moon exactly?
Here is what we found:
- The harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the date of the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.
- People say that the harvest moon shines brighter and more golden during the autumn. But because there is very little time between sunset and moonrise it may appear more golden at times.
- Farmer's who are out harvesting their field's sometimes very late into the darkness value the full moon to light up their fields.
- A similar moon appears in the Southern latitudes during the time of the Spring Equinox.
- The harvest moon does not always happen in September. The harvest moon depends on the date of the full moon with relation to the Equinox. In 2001, the harvest moon fell in October.
To determine the date of the harvest moon:
1. Find the date of the Autumn Equinox.
2. Determine the full moon dates for both September and October
3. Count the number of days from the Equinox to the September full moon.
4. Count the number of days from the Equinox to the October full moon.
5. The closest full moon to the Equinox is considered the "harvest moon".
And here is a little 1931 song by Ruth Etting called Shine On Harvest Moon.
