Tonight, the spectacular harvest moon is set to reach its fullest in UK skies.
The lunar event is particularly significant as it is the first of three consecutive supermoons – which occur when a full moon is at its closest point to the Earth. The last was in November 2024.
If that’s not enough, the moon tonight is also known as a hunter’s moon, which is usually the name given to the full moon that comes after the harvest moon – but on this occasion it occurs at the same time.
Sky News spoke to experts to find out what stargazers can expect, how this year is a “double treat”, and why it happens in the first place.
What is a harvest moon?
Dr Noelia Noel, senior lecturer in astrophysics at the University of Surrey, says the harvest moon is the full moon that appears closest to the autumn equinox. This lands around 22 September every year.
She says before the invention of electric lights, farmers relied on the glow of the full moon to finish gathering crops after sunset – hence the name.
“It’s not a different type of moon, but its timing means it rises earlier for several evenings in a row, keeping the nights brighter for longer,” Dr Noel adds.
The Harvest Moon, rises in front of the US Capitol. Pic: Reuters
When is the best time to see the harvest moon?
Sara Russell, a researcher at London’s Natural History Museum, says the harvest moon should be visible all night, but will rise in the UK around 6.20pm.
Keen stargazers will have noticed that the moon technically became a full moon around 4.48am on Tuesday morning, but tonight it will appear at its biggest and brightest to the naked eye.
Ms Russell adds: “There’s an optical illusion that means the moon always looks bigger when it is close to the horizon, where there are buildings and trees to compare it to, so it would be good to take a look soon after it rises.”
The Harvest moon over California. Pic: Reuters
How to get the best view of the harvest moon
Dr Noel says the best way to view the harvest moon is to head outside shortly after the sun goes down and look to the east.
She says no telescope is needed and the most dramatic views will be when the moon is low on the horizon.
If you are unsure where east is, Dr Noel says to look roughly towards where the sun rises in the morning.
A supermoon and a hunter’s moon
Dr Noel says tonight is a “double treat” as the moon will also be a supermoon, and a hunter’s moon.
She says a supermoon happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, so it looks slightly bigger and shines up to 15% brighter.
Ms Russell adds this happens because the moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical rather than perfect circle, meaning it is sometimes closer and sometimes further away.
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A hunter’s moon is the name typically given to full moon that follows the harvest moon, Dr Noel explains, but this year, the timing is so close that people are using both names.
Similar to the harvest moon, the name comes from the moon’s particularly bright light, which historically was used by hunters when stalking prey at night.
“Whatever you call it, it’s one of the brightest, boldest moons of the year,” Dr Noel says.
Who will be able to see it?
Sky News forecasters say that much of the country may be out of luck as a significant proportion of England and Wales is likely to have too much cloud to see it.
Scotland and Northern Ireland may have more chance however, with a band of clear weather working its way south across the island of Ireland and into northern England as the night goes on, according to the Met Office.
When is the next supermoon?
Tonight is the first supermoon of the year, with two following closely after.
The harvest moon over Manhattan. Pic: Reuters
The second will occur on 5 November and the third on 4 December.
Ms Russell says the supermoon next month is expected to be “the biggest one of all”.
