The First Full "Harvest" Moon in 20 Years is Set to Rise

It has been 20 years since a full moon fell on the last day of summer and it is at this time that the summer in the northern part of the country changes to fall at around 11:09 pm EDT.

Better known as the autumnal equinox, the Harvest Moon, for all avid sky watchers, will be sure to be a bright one tonight. And another treat for avid nighttime starlight gazers, the planet Jupiter will be near the full moon. The planet Jupiter though far away is also a bright light so between the full moon and Jupiter close by, tonight promises to be a special one.

Experts are referring to this night as a “must-see sky show,” which for many summertime lovers is a sad day, representative of the official start of the fall season, which will take us into the winter season and the shortest day of the year around Dec. 21. This is a time when soon the clocks will be turned back and nighttime will begin to darken around 5:00 p.m., ending Daylight Saving time.

But rather than think about the cold dark nights that are looming around the corner in North America, at least tonight promises to be a beautiful display of Mother Nature’s glory.

The sky show begins at sunset on Sept 22. And in a celestial see-saw the sun will set in the west as the moon rises in the east. Between the two bright lights of sun and moon, there will be a glow to the sky that is rare, and if at all possible should be viewed, since the last time the full moon fell on the autumnal equinox was 20 years ago. It may be another 20 years before this phenomenon may happen again.

Experts urge sky watchers to keep an eye on the moon as it rises. The moon will undoubtedly appear close and huge; so close and so big one will feel that he or she can reach out and actually touch the moon whose aura promises to be bright.

Strangely enough, those who study the sky and planetary and moon cycles have no clue as to why a “low-hanging” moon appears wider and brighter than it actually is. And a Harvest Moon is the granddaddy of all low-hanging moons, which, again is sure to be a spectacle that should not be missed. Experts refer to this bright, huge, low hanging moon as Moon Illusion.