( From 9/14/2019). A September full moon, also known as a “Harvest Moon,” was visible last night on Friday the 13th. According to NASA, the moon will be full early Saturday morning, Sept. 14, at 12:33 a.m. EST. NASA says that the moon will appear full for about three days centered around this time — from Thursday night through Sunday morning.
The Full Moon closest to the September equinox is called the Harvest Moon. It is unique because the Moon rises close to the same time several days in a row.
You might think the Harvest Moon looks bigger or brighter or more orange. That’s because the Harvest Moon has such a powerful mystique. Many people look for it shortly after sunset around the time of full moon. After sunset around the time of any full moon, the moon will always be near the horizon. It’ll just have risen. It’s the location of the moon near the horizon that causes the Harvest Moon – or any full moon – to look big and orange in color.
The orange color of a moon near the horizon is a true physical effect. It stems from the fact that – when you look toward the horizon – you’re looking through a greater thickness of Earth’s atmosphere than when you gaze up and overhead.
The bigger-than-usual size of a moon seen near the horizon is something else entirely. It’s a trick that your eyes are playing – an illusion – called the Moon Illusion. You can find many lengthy explanations of the Moon Illusion by doing an online search for those words.
Maybe later I’ll do a post about other Donovan hits. But “Season of the Witch” seems more appropriate today so enjoy…
