Harvest Moon 2017: When will you be able to see it?

The full moon usually occurs in September, but will this year make a later appearance in October. 

The symbolic event will take place at 6:40pm on October 5, and the moon will be at its brightest at around 7.40pm. 

Full-looking moons near the horizons after sunset will also be visible for a few days before and after the October date. 

The term ‘Harvest Moon’ refers to the full moon that falls nearest to the autumnal equinox – which took place on September 22.

The event provides an opportunity to look at some of the major features on the surface of the moon – many which you will be able to see even without a telescope. 

The name dates back to when farmers need bright light to extend the working day and the Harvest moon symbolised when workers would need to start gathering their crops to prepare for winter. 

Andrea Jones, an education specialist for the Planetary Science Institute, told Space.com: “People used to track the passage of time based on the moon.

“The moon is a very obvious timekeeper for ancient civilizations.”

October is usually when the Hunter’s Moon will appear, but due to the late Harvest Moon the Hunter’s Moon will take place in November, while September’s full moon was the Corn Moon. 

NASA Moon tweeted ahead of the Corn Moon: “Full Moon tonight at 4 AM UT. Called the Corn Moon, Fruit Moon, Sap Moon or Worm Moon. Sometimes it is the Harvest Moon, but not this year!”

Some claim the moon turns a deep orange for the Harvest Moon – an effect that sometimes occur when you glimpse at the moon when it is close to the horizon.

The Harvest Moon does not count as a bigger-than-average full moon.