Equinox and the Harvest Moon
Did you enjoy the moonlight last night?
The Full Moon closest to autumnal equinox and the beginning
of Fall is traditionally
known as the Harvest Moon,
rising opposite the Sun and illuminating
fields at harvest time after sunset.
This year's northern hemisphere autumnal equinox occurred yesterday,
September 23rd, at 03:09 Universal Time.
The Moon was at its
full phase
a mere 6 hours later --
exceptionally close for a Harvest Moon!
Of course, the Moon still shines brightly through the night in
surrounding days.
In this picture from September 22nd, the
lunar orb dominates
the sky above a ruined church in Zsámbék, Hungary .
Shining nearby, the brightest star is actually Jupiter, also
opposite the Sun,
seen here through thin clouds just left of the church wall.
