Bright nighttime skies are on the way in Michigan as the year’s first full supermoon will rise in the sky Monday, astronomers say.
The harvest moon is the first of three consecutive full supermoons in 2025 and will peak on Oct. 6, according to Astronomy Magazine.
Set to come two weeks after the autumnal equinox, the harvest moon will provide several nights of bright moonlight in early October, the Old Farmer’s Almanac added.
Here’s what to know about the harvest moon.
Is the harvest moon a supermoon?
Yes, the harvest moon will be the first full supermoon of 2025, according to Moon Phase Today.
When will the harvest moon peak?
The harvest moon will peak at 11:47 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Why is it called a harvest moon?
The harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, either in September or October, typically in September. However, this year, the full moon will be in early October, EarthSky says.
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The proximity to the equinox creates the “harvest moon effect,” as the full or nearly full moon rises near sunset for several nights in a row around the time of the harvest, creating bright moonlight from dusk to dawn, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Astronomy Magazine and EarthSky. This traditionally marked an ideal period for farmers to harvest their crops later into the night, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
When are the remaining supermoons in 2025?
The next full supermoons will peak on Nov. 5 and Dec. 4, according to Moon Phase Today.
When was the autumnal equinox?
The fall equinox — the end of summer and start of fall 2025 — occurred at 2:19 p.m. Sept. 22, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
How far away from the Earth is the moon?
The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles.
At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it’s at apogee.
When the moon is at perigee, or closest to Earth, it’s 225,623 miles away.
When is the next full moon?
The beaver moon, also a supermoon, will peak on Nov. 5.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Full supermoon set to rise. What to know about harvest moon