Harvest Moon: What is a supermoon? When will it take place?
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Leaves are beginning to fall, the air is getting cooler and thoughts are turning to Halloween.
Autumn is on its way and for astronomy fans autumn also means it's time for September's full moon - also known as the Harvest Moon.
It will appear in our skies later this week and what's more, it is also set to be the fourth and final supermoon of the year!
Supermoons happen when the Moon is closest to the Earth, appearing bigger and brighter than normal - up to 15% brighter and 30% bigger than regular full moons.
But why is September's called the Harvest Moon and when will it happen? Keep reading to find out!
What is the Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full Moon closest to the autumn equinox.
This means that the Harvest Moon can fall any time between September and October.
The Equinox is when the Earth's equator is almost directly in line with the centre of the Sun.
This takes place twice a year - around late March (spring equinox) and late September (autumn equinox).
Why is it called a Harvest Moon?
It is called a Harvest Moon because the Moon is particularly bright and rises early.
In the past, this allowed farmers to extend their working day and work by the light of the extra-bright Moon, gathering crops to prepare for the winter months - hence 'harvest'.
September's full moon is also referred to as the Corn Moon or Barley Moon.
Sometimes people say the Moon turns a deep orange for the Harvest Moon. This effect sometimes occurs if you glimpse the Moon when it is close to the horizon. That's because you are seeing it through the thickness of the Earth's atmosphere, which can cause it to change colour slightly.
When will the Harvest Moon happen?
The best time to view this autumn's Harvest Full Moon is just before sunrise on Friday 29 September.
It takes place less than a week after the September equinox - the autumn equinox - on 23 September.
September's full moon will also be the last supermoon of the year, and in fact the last one for a while.
Skygazers who miss this month's Harvest Moon supermoon will have to wait until the next Harvest Moon on 18 September 2024 - to catch a glimpse of the next supermoon!
How can I see the Harvest Moon?
Provided the weather is clear, it should be relatively easy to get a good view of the Harvest Moon.
The great thing is that you don't need a telescope to see it! Although keen stargazers might use one to get a closer look.
When it gets up into the centre of the sky, it will be shining a brilliant white. Let's hope it's a clear night!
What's next?
The next full Moon to grace our night skies will be October's full moon, which is called the Hunter's Moon - and will be the 10th full Moon of the year.
Like the Harvest Moon, the Hunter's Moon is brighter and shines for longer, traditionally giving hunters more light to catch food.
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