Watch out for the Super Harvest Moon (Tonight, Wed., Sept. 22)
media files table
Sept. 22, 2010: For the first time in almost 20 years, northern autumn is
beginning on the night of a full Moon. The coincidence sets the stage for
a "Super Harvest Moon" and a must-see sky show to mark the change of
seasons.
The action begins at sunset on Sept 22nd, the last day of northern summer.
As the sun sinks in the west, bringing the season to a close, the full
Harvest Moon will rise in the east, heralding the start of fall. The two
sources of light will mix together to create a kind of 360-degree,
summer-autumn twilight glow that is only seen on rare occasions.
Keep an eye on the Moon as it creeps above the eastern skyline. The golden
orb may appear strangely inflated. This is the Moon illusion at work. For
reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, a
low-hanging Moon appears much wider than it really is. A Harvest Moon
inflated by the moon illusion is simply gorgeous.
The view improves as the night wears on.
Northern summer changes to fall on Sept. 22nd at 11:09 pm EDT. At that
precise moment, called the autumnal equinox, the Harvest Moon can be found
soaring high overhead with the planet Jupiter right beside it. The two
brightest objects in the night sky will be in spectacular conjunction to
mark the change in seasons.
The Harvest Moon gets its name from agriculture. In the days before
electric lights, farmers depended on bright moonlight to extend the
workday beyond sunset. It was the only way they could gather their
ripening crops in time for market. The full Moon closest to the autumnal
equinox became "the Harvest Moon," and it was always a welcome sight.
This one would be extra welcome because it is extra "Harvesty."
Usually, the Harvest Moon arrives a few days to weeks before or after the
beginning of fall. It's close, but not a perfect match. The Harvest Moon
of 2010, however, reaches maximum illumination a mere six hours after the
equinox. This has led some astronomers to call it the "Harvestest Moon" or
a "Super Harvest Moon." There hasn't been a comparable coincidence since
Sept 23, 1991, when the difference was about 10 hours, and it won't happen
again until the year 2029.
A Super Harvest Moon, a rare twilight glow, a midnight conjunction—rarely
does autumn begin with such celestial fanfare.
Enjoy the show!
From Tammy.....
