There is nothing spectacular or even unusual about this full moon. In fact, it’s arguably the least interesting full moon we’ve had in months, after four supermoons back-to-back in May. The harvest moon traditionally marks the end of the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere and probably has the least mysterious of all full moon nicknames. The name comes from usage in Europe and has been documented since at least 1706, according to NASA. You may see the harvest moon referred to as the September full moon, but by definition, it’s actually the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (this year it’s September 22), meaning it sometimes occurs in October. In Europe, this full moon has also been called the fruit moon or barley moon, names that again associate it with the seasonal autumn harvest in the northern hemisphere. In the Americas, it has also been called the corn moon by the Algonquin tribes, again for the same reason. In 2022, the harvest moon will rise on Saturday, and as with every full moon, it will rise above the eastern horizon at twilight, shortly after the sun sets in the west. A day before or after is also a good time to catch this moon because it will look just as full to the naked eye and create the optical illusion that makes it look so huge over the horizon at dusk. Exactly what makes the full moon look so big to the eye when it’s near the horizon at dusk is still debatable, but it’s worth going outside to see it firsthand. Just find a spot with a great sunrise view and head out after sunset. As always, be sure to share your best photos with me on Twitter: @ericcmack.
