What to know about the upcoming Harvest Moon

The first leaves are starting to change, pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere, and corn mazes are cropping up. One sign of the start of fall will be even harder to miss: the Harvest Moon.

This year, the Harvest Moon will last from Sept. 16 to 18, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The fall equinox is on Sept. 22.

Harvest Moon origins and customs

The Harvest Moon refers to the full moon that happens closest to the autumnal equinox. Because of the moon’s orbit at this time of year, the moon will look far larger than usual. NASA says a Harvest Moon may sometimes look red because of the way the bright moonlight scatters atmospheric particles.

This lunar phenomenon gets its name because farmers would use the extra bright moonlight to farm late into the evening, the Almanac said.

While there are around 12 full moons every year, the Harvest Moon is special. During the Harvest Moon period, the moon will rise around the same time every single day. The Harvest Moon specifically rises at or near sunset multiple times in a row, the Almanac said. 

The Harvest Moon is celebrated here in America, and around the world. In China, people celebrate the moon festival by having family reunions and eating moon cakes. Japanese Harvest Moon traditions involve moon gazing, poetry recitals, and going out on boats to see the moon’s reflection in water.

When you can see the Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon will reach its peak on Sept. 17 at 10:43 p.m., according to the Farmer’s Almanac. You could see it every night from Sept. 16 to 18. There are plenty of good places across the city to moon gaze, from the Esplanade to the Common. You can try a healing harvest sound bath under the moon in Haverhill, or maybe hop on a boat and view the moon from the water in Gloucester.  

When the Harvest Moon is at its peak on Sept. 17, expect a high of 81 degrees, low of 64, and some partial cloud coverage, according to AccuWeather.