Revelling in the Radiance of the October Supermoon Amidst Falling Meteors
Imagine looking up to the sky and being greeted by a larger-than-life moon, radiant and gleaming against the dark canvas of the night. That's what awaits us in the first supermoon of autumn, lovingly known as the Harvest Moon. This breathtaking spectacle, a celebrated event in the lunar calendar, signifies the closure of the harvesting season.
The full moon will reach its peak brilliance at 11:47 p.m. EST, bathing the nights before and after in its charming glow. The best time to witness this celestial event is at dusk on the following day. However, you can also catch a glimpse of it the day before when the almost-full moon shines brightly over Saturn, making its closest approach to Earth.
Why the Harvest Moon?
Traditionally, the Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox, which usually falls on the 22nd of September. The origin of this name is rooted in farming folklore, where the full moon's light was believed to help farmers harvest their crops well into the night. This wasn't just limited to the night of the full moon, but extended to the surrounding nights as well. While September is usually the host of the Harvest Moon, in this particular year, October gets the honor.
How and When to Watch
For the most mesmerizing view of the Harvest Moon, find a high vantage point with a clear view of the eastern horizon. The moon will radiate a captivating golden-orange hue for about 15-20 minutes after it rises. You don't need any special equipment to enjoy this spectacle - your eyes will do just fine. However, if you have a pair of stargazing binoculars, they can offer an even more exquisite view of the moon's craters and the dark lava plains, known as mare.
Supermoon and Shooting Stars
This year's Harvest Moon is not just any full moon, but a supermoon. This means it will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual. The reason? The moon will be around 10% closer to Earth than its average distance, just 224,599 miles away. This happens because the moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, meaning there's a closest point (perigee) and a farthest point (apogee) every month.
And as if a supermoon wasn't enough, there's more. The moon will be at its largest and closest to Earth late at night, and this is also when shooting stars could make an appearance, thanks to the peak of the annual Draconid meteor shower. We might see up to 10 meteors per hour, although the supermoon's brightness might make them slightly harder to spot.
More Celestial Wonders to Come
But the celestial wonders don't stop with the Harvest Moon. Two comets, Lemmon and SWAN R2, are set to make their closest approach to Earth in October, coinciding with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower under the new moon's dark skies.
And if you thought this was all, hold on to your hats! The next full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will rise as the largest supermoon since 2019 on November 5. So, keep your eyes on the sky and let's revel in the beauty of these celestial events!