The Full Moon Closest to the Autumn Equinox Will Illuminate the Night Sky
This week, stargazers will be treated to the stunning Harvest Moon, which will rise on Tuesday, September 21st. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, marking the point when day and night are equal in length.
In 2021, the autumn equinox falls on September 22nd, with the full moon reaching its peak at 00:54 BST on September 21st. The moon will make its ascent from London at 19:37 BST, showcasing 99.8% of its surface illuminated. For those who miss the exact moment, the nights before and after the full moon will also offer nearly complete illumination, with almost 99% of the moon’s surface lit.
The Harvest Moon is the most iconic of the names given to the full moons throughout the year, a tradition derived from Native American culture. Many other societies also named their full moons, using them as calendrical markers before the widespread use of the modern calendar based on the sun’s movement.
The autumn equinox signals the true arrival of fall, and from now until March’s equinox, nights will grow longer than days. The winter solstice in December will mark the longest night of the year, continuing the trend as the days grow shorter until the next seasonal shift.
