In 2023, we’ve had three consecutive nights of supermoons, all radiant and gigantic, pleasing to the eyes, and here comes the last and final one of the year, The Super Harvest Moon. This supermoon will be visible today, 28th September 2023, and will reach its peak on Friday, 29th September 2023.
The Harvest Full Moon comes every year in September and marks the end of summer harvest but this year since it’s the super moon series, The Harvest Full Moon is extra special. Not only is it full and round but the moon is closer to Earth than it’s regular position during it’s cycle.
What is a supermoon?
When the moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to the earth while it is a full moon, it is called a supermoon. In simple words, the moon appears larger and fuller during this time than the normal nights.
2023 – The Year of Supermoons:
This year we have had three consecutive Supermoons some of which are quite rare.
If you’ve missed them, don’t worry, I’ve got you.
July 3, 2023 – The Full Buck Moon
This moon rose on the night of 3rd July, hours before the American Independence Day, and was brighter, fuller, and radiant in the night sky. According to the Royal Observatory, the moon is given the name, Buck Moon, because the antlers of male deers grow rapidly in July. Hence, the Full Buck Moon.
August 2, 2023 – The Full Sturgeon Moon
On August 2, the second supermoon rose and was just as magnificent to the eyes as any other. The skygazers especially try and study this moon and the stars around it.
August 30, 2023 – The Blue Moon
This was the second full moon in the month of August hence making it a blue moon. It was visible on Wednesday night and two nights after. Along with the Super Blue Moon, the planet Saturn was also visible near the moon.
The blue moon is said to be a rare occasion. Generally we get full moon once a month and sometimes twice, as we 30 and 31 days in our months. On average, blue moon occurs once in every 33 months which about 2 and a half years or 3 years. But there is something even more rare than a blue moon which is getting two blue moons in the same year. It last happened in 2018 and will happen 3 more times in this century.
The next occurance of two blue moons will be in the year 2037. However, what we got the sight of this year was a Super Blue Moon. In August, the full moon was a blue moon, which in itself is rare, and was also a supermoon.
This week –
28 & 29th September, 2023 – The Full Harvest Moon
This week’s supermoon will be accompanied by three of our solar system planets: Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury. Unfortunately, they will not be visible to everybody. Singapore will mostly be able to witness this company of our radiant moon amidst their Mid-Autumn festival. The harvest moon will rise on Thursday night and will also be visible on Friday night.
Reasons to watch:
- It’s the last supermoon of the year!
- Three of our planets will be visible along with the moon.
- If you haven’t seen any of the last three supermoons, this is your chance!
- If you have seen the past three supermoons, why would you want to leave the last one?
- The last reason…… I mean, it’s the moon we’re talking about. Who wouldn’t want to see the moon?
