Look Up! Harvest Moon Lights Up the Sky This Weekend

The next harvest moon will not be seen until 2024

The night skies will be a little brighter than usual this weekend as the "harvest" full moon emerges overhead.

The harvest moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, which this year comes next Thursday, Sept. 22.

According to National Geographic, the harvest moon can be seen starting Friday, Sept. 16.

The additional light from the harvest moon gives farmers more time to reap their crops.

This full moon, also known as the penumbral eclipse, happens when the Earth, moon and sun all fall in a straight line, according to Space.com.

This harvest moon is the last eclipse of its kind until 2024, National Geographic reported.

Viewers can expect to best see the slight darkening of the harvest moon with binoculars or telescopes.

However, the harvest moon can be viewed by looking for contracting light and dark regions. Moon gazers can also expect to see the Tycho crater in the bottom-left quadrant of the moon, according to Space.com

A live webcast of the harvest moon can be watched via Space.com on Slooh.

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