Harvest Moon to rise next to Saturn on September 26 — Live Science

On the evening of September 26, the full Harvest Moon will be visible in the eastern part of the sky, with Saturn visible nearby. The Moon will reach its full phase at 12:49 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time, and it will be best observed as it rises above the eastern horizon. The Moon will be in the constellation Pisces.

As Live Science reports, the Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox. This year, the equinox fell on September 22. This full moon also coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese communities.

Why the rise time changes

Usually, the Moon's rise time shifts about 50 minutes later each day. Near the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the Moon's path crosses the eastern horizon at a relatively shallow angle. As a result, the difference in rise times between consecutive days decreases, and bright moonlight appears shortly after sunset for several evenings in a row.

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In the past, such bright evenings provided additional light during the autumn harvest. In North America, on September 27, the Moon will rise only about 25 minutes later than on the previous evening.

Where to look for Saturn

For observers in North America, Saturn will rise below the Moon and will be bright enough to observe without a telescope. Astronomical binoculars or a small telescope will make it possible to see both celestial bodies more clearly. For the best view, choose a location with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.

The next full moon, known as the Hunter's Moon, will occur on October 25 or 26, depending on the time zone. It will also be a supermoon, so it will appear larger and brighter than an average full moon.