Get Ready for a Bumper Crop of Lunar Magic: The ‘Harvest Moon’ Takes Center Stage in September’s Night Sky
September’s Full Moon: The Harvest Moon Rises in the Night Sky
Today, September 18 (Wednesday), marks the full moon. In the American agricultural calendar, this full moon is also known as the ”Harvest Moon”.
Tonight, the moon is visible in the clear skies of Hokkaido, and its beauty is a sight to behold. Although clouds are spreading in some areas of the Tokai region and western Japan, there are still places where the full moon can be seen. If the weather permits, take a moment to enjoy the moon’s splendor.
View photos of the Harvest Moon from various locations.
The Full Moon of September: The Harvest Moon
How to Call the Full Moon in the Agricultural Calendar
To understand the seasons, Native Americans gave each month’s full moon a variety of names, such as animals, plants, and seasonal events.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the September full moon is called the “Harvest Moon” in the United States.
This name was given after the autumn season when agricultural products are harvested. Even though the moon is always round, you can feel the sense of seasons.
Phenomenon Review: What is a Full Moon?
Positional Relationship Between Sun, Moon, and Earth
You can calculate when the full moon will be based on the relative positions of the sun, the earth, and the moon.
Seen from Earth, the moment when the difference between the direction of the sun and the direction of the moon (ecliptic longitude difference) is 0 degrees is a new moon, the moment when it is 90 degrees is a waxing moon (half moon), and the moment when it is 180 degrees is a full moon, the moment of 270 degrees is defined as a waning moon (half moon) and completes one revolution in about a month.
In other words, the full moon is the moment when the sun and the moon align in nearly opposite directions when viewed from Earth (the moment when the sun, earth, and moon, in that order, align in nearly a straight line).
Because of this change in positional relationship, the part of the Moon exposed to sunlight changes when viewed from Earth, resulting in the changing phases of the Moon, such as the waxing and waning moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon.
Partial Lunar Eclipse on the Other Side of the Earth
A Partial Lunar Eclipse Occurred Today
A “partial lunar eclipse” occurred today around noon Japan time. A partial lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Earth’s shadow, illuminated by the sun, overlaps with the moon, making it appear as if part of the moon is missing.
This lunar eclipse occurred in North and South America, Europe, and Africa. This lunar eclipse was not visible in Japan, where the lunar eclipse occurs during the day and is facing away from the moon.
Weather News live streamed the partial lunar eclipse using live footage from overseas. Enjoy watching the waning moon from the broadcast video.
Photo: Weather Report (Published by Weather News App) Worker Not to be Missed
Source/reference etc.
The Old Farmers’ Almanac
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan “Star Sky Information” https://www.nao.ac.jp/astro/sky/
National Astronomical Observatory “Koyomi Computing Laboratory” https://eco.mtk.nao.ac.jp/koyomi/