September Night Sky

The September full moon is called the Harvest Moon.  

NASA Photo

The Harvest moon can occur in either September or October because it coincides with an astronomical event – the autumnal equinox. The full Moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal (fall) equinox - or the start of astronomical fall.  (September 22 or 23 depending-upon your time zone) takes on the name Harvest Moon.  If it occurs in early October - like it did in 2020 - it is called the Full Corn Moon or Barley Moon.  

The name comes from this moon’s ability to shine light when it is needed the most – to bring in the harvest.  In the Northern Hemisphere and in our time zone the Harvest Moon rises after sunset and will reach peak illumination at 4:58 AM Friday morning.  

This Harvest Moon is the last of four Super moons appearing this year.