We haven't seen a Harvest Moon occur on Friday the 13th since October of 2000, and it'll be awhile before it happens again.

It won’t happen again until August 13th, 2049.

According to NASA, it’s called the Harvest Moon because it’s the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. The autumnal equinox occurs on September 23rd at 3:50am, marking the end of summer and the start of fall.

One thing that sets the Harvest Moon apart from other full Moon names is that it’s not associated with a specific month, as the others are. Instead, the Harvest Moon relates to the timing of the autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23), with the full Moon that occurs nearest to the equinox being the one to take on the name “Harvest Moon.” This means that the Harvest Moon can occur in either September or October, depending on how the lunar cycle lines up with the Gregorian calendar.

The Harvest Moon does typically occur in September, taking the place of the Full Corn Moon. However, it occasionally lands in October instead, replacing the Full Hunter’s Moon.

 

Additionally, the Full Harvest Moon rises at sunset and then will rise very near sunset for several nights in a row because the difference is at a yearly minimum. It may almost seem as if there are full Moons multiple nights in a row.

If you're interested in checking out the Harvest Moon, your best bet is to head out tonight around 11:30, when the moon begins to move into its best viewing position.

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