(This article is about the seasonal event, for the farm simulation video game, see Harvest Moon (game))

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that appears nearest to the autumnal equinox, which occurs on or about 23rd September. This moon is also known as the Wine Moon, the Singing Moon and the Elk Call Moon. It sometimes occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon.

The appearance of the Harvest Moon begins the first of the harvesting months in the Northern Hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate the harvests with gatherings, festivals, and rituals that are intricately attuned to the Harvest Moon.

At this time, the moon rises at a point which is opposite to the sun, and is situated close to the eastern point of the horizon.

It is claimed by some that the harvest moon seems to be somehow "larger" than other full moons. 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 the image of the moon in the sky is always the same size. A similar type of lunar effect is seen at the time of the spring equinox, which occurs on or about 21st March.

The harvest moon gets its name from the fact that farmers who were harvesting their crops at this time of year were able to use the extra light of the harvest moon to continue the work in the fields. In October, the full moon for that month can exhibit a similar effect, and is called the Hunter's Moon.

In myth and folklore the full moon of each month is given a name. There are many variations but the following list gives the most widely known names:

• January - Wolf Moon
• February - Ice Moon
• March - Storm Moon
• April - Growing Moon
• May - Hare Moon
• June - Mead Moon
• July - Hay Moon
• August - Corn Moon
• September - Harvest Moon
• October - Hunter's Moon
• November - Snow Moon
• December - Winter Moon

A second full moon in a calendar month, which occurs on average once every two and a half years, is known as a Blue Moon.

External link

• Moon Illusion