We will have two full moons this month, a phenomenon known as a "blue moon." They will bookend October exactly, with the Harvest Moon on October 1st and the Hunter's Moon/Blue Moon on October 31st. We'll leave it to you to decide if having a blue moon on Halloween in 2020 is a good thing or not....
Fun Facts About Full Moons
Pink Supermoon at Garden of the Gods, by Lars Leber
- A full moon occurs when the side of the Moon facing Earth is fully lit up by the Sun.
- The moon appears full for about three days.
- The best times to view the moon are at moonrise and moonset.
- A "blue moon" has nothing to do with the color of the moon. It refers to two full moons in the same calendar month. It happens approximately every 2.5 years.
- Find details on times the moon, planets, and other astrological bodies are visible, as well as expected trajectories on the Interactive Night Sky Map.
- Find info on moon phases, structures, and more on the NASA Moon Site.
What Does "Harvest Moon" Mean?
Photo by Aron Visuals
The term "harvest moon" refers to the full, bright Moon that occurs closest to the start of autumn. The name dates from the time before electricity, when farmers depended on the Moon's light to harvest their crops late into the night. The Moon's light was particularly important during fall, when harvests are the largest. (via NASA)
Why Don't All Full Moons Look The Same?
Image of a supermoon total lunar eclipse behind the Colorado State Capitol building on September 27, 2015.
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Sometimes, the Moon may appear to glow red. Other times, the Moon may appear larger than usual in our night sky. The Moon itself is not changing colors or sizes. Its changes in appearance are usually due to its position in relation to the Sun and Earth.
BONUS: A Mars Escort
Photo Courtesy of NASA
On October 2nd, the day after the actual full Harvest Moon, we get an extra treat. Mars, shining extra brightly due to its unusual closeness to Earth, will escort the full moon across the sky. Look just above the upper left of full moon for the glow of the Red Planet (or directly over, if viewing later in the evening).
For more info about the Mars "Close Approach," you can read more on the NASA Mars site. The closest approach is actually on October 6th, when it comes within 38,586,816 miles from Earth (which is apparently close for Mars!).
Tips For Taking Photos of the Moon
Photo By Kym MacKinnon
- Get out right before moonrise or moonset (if you're an early bird) - this is when the moon will look the largest and be closest to the horizon line.
- Keep your ISO low so you don't blow out the moon's features and get a white blob for the moon.
- Look for interesting framing options. For example, find some trees, mountains, or buildings to give the image more context.
