Growdude said:
Ive always believed that the term "harvest moon" came from back in the 1800s when farmers used the full moon for extra light to complete there harvest.
Here's some interesting facts about the Harvest Moon:
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Harvest moon, full moon occurring nearest to the autumnal equinox, about Sept. 23.
During harvest moon the retardation (later rising each night) of the moon is at a minimum because of the relation of the moon's path to the horizon.
On several nights in succession the moonrise is at nearly the same time, and there is full moonlight almost from sunset to sunrise if the sky is unclouded.
The first full moon of autumn by a tropical year.
The full moon nearest the autumn equinox, when the moon rises the latest and lowest in the sky and seems to appear the biggest, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
Extra light provides longer hours for the harvesting that occurs in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year.
The definition of a Harvest Moon is: the full moon closest to the fall equinox.
The Harvest Moon was thus named because it rises within a half-hour of when the sun sets. In early days, when farmers had no tractors, it was essential that they work by the light of the moon to bring in the harvest.
This moon is the fullest moon of the year. When you gaze at it, it looks very large and gives a lot of light throughout the entire night. No other lunar spectacle is as awesome as the Harvest Moon.
The Harvest Moon usually appears in the month of September. However, on occasion, it appears as a full moon early in October. This is the case this year, when the full moon closest to the autumn equinox will appear in the night sky on October 2nd.
The Harvest Moon, when it falls in September, is also known as the "Fruit Moon." When it falls in October, it is sometimes called the "Hunters Moon." This is because October is the month when large animals, such a deer and moose are hunted for the winters meat supply. If taken before that time, it is said that the meat will taste wild or "strong." Hunting animals before the "Hunters Moon," also interferes with the rut.
The Harvest Moon rises as the sun sets. This occurs only in the Northern Hemisphere. This early rising and extra light allowed farmers to work long into the night in order to bring in the years harvest. In the Southern Hemisphere, the exact opposite occurs. There is a longer period of time between sunset and the rising of the moon. The south does not require the extra time to harvest the crops. In the north, if the crops are not taken in, they will be destroyed by frost, which can hit anytime during September or October. It is usually safe to assume there will be no frost, or only a light frost, before the Harvest Moon.
The Harvest Moon always hangs low in the sky. It seems to be larger and more beautiful than other full moons and often has an orange or pink cast. The reason for this is African dust storms and North American wildfires, which have filled the atmosphere with aerosols.
The human eye sees a low hanging moon as being larger than one that rides high in the sky. This is known as a Moon Illusion, because, in reality, the moon is always the same size.
When gathering the crops under the Harvest Moon, the nights were often cool, damp and very still. That stillness was a sure sign that frost was possible; a strong breeze helped to protect the vegetables. Mangles, which was a root crop, used to feed livestock, was also harvested at this time. The Harvest Moon marks the end of the growing season in the Northern Hemisphere.