OHIO — Ohio residents will have a chance to catch September’s Harvest Moon lighting up the night sky this weekend.
The moon officially reaches its full phase at 12:49 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Sept. 26, according to astronomical data from the U.S. Naval Observatory. Because the exact moment occurs during daylight hours, the full moon will be best viewed after sunset Saturday evening as it rises into the eastern sky.
The Harvest Moon is the name traditionally given to the full moon occurring closest to the autumn equinox. This year’s autumn equinox occurred on Sept. 22, making Saturday’s full moon the Harvest Moon.
The name dates back to a time when farmers relied on the moon’s evening light to continue harvesting crops after sunset. Around the Harvest Moon, the time between successive moonrises is shorter than usual in the Northern Hemisphere, providing several evenings of additional light.
For Ohio residents hoping to see it, no special equipment is necessary. The moon will be visible with the naked eye, although binoculars can provide a closer look at features on the lunar surface.
The moon will appear nearly full Friday and Saturday nights, but Saturday marks the official full moon, making Saturday evening the main opportunity for Ohioans to head outside and take in this year’s Harvest Moon.
Source: U.S. Naval Observatory
