The Harvest Moon is not always the name for the Full Moon in September, as is often thought. Rather, the Harvest Moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs closest to the equinox in September. This means the Harvest Moon is often in September but can also occur in October.
When is the Harvest Moon?
The autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere falls on September 22 or 23 each year. Therefore, the Harvest Moon will occur on the following dates:
- October 4, 2009
- September 23, 2010
- September 12, 2011
- September 29, 2012
- September 19, 2013
- September 9, 2014
- September 28, 2015
- September 16, 2016
- October 5, 2017
- September 25, 2018
- September 14, 2019
- October 1, 2020
The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the fall equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Historically in the mid-Northern latitudes the bright full moon at this time of year allowed farmers to have extra time in their fields to gather their harvest. Full moons that occurred too early in September were sometimes called the Green Corn Moon to distinguish them from the later moon when the plants were ready for harvesting.
The Difference Between the Harvest Moon Vs. the Hunter's Moon
Often the Harvest Moon is the full moon in September and the Hunter's Moon is the full moon in October, but not always. The Hunter's Moon is the full moon the follows after the Harvest Moon, therefore the Hunter's Moon can occur in November.
Thus, the full moon in October is either the Harvest Moon or the Hunter's Moon. In 2020, it is both. When the full moon occurs on October 1, 2020, it will be the Harvest Moon. On October 31, 2020, another full moon within this month will then be called the Hunter's Moon and also a Blue Moon, being the second full moon in a calendar month. This means that October 2020 will play host to the Harvest Moon, Hunter's Moon, and Blue Moon.
The full moon in November can be called the Hunter's Moon, but when it's not it is often known as the Beaver Moon.
In the old days when the harvest season was over, many rural people turned to hunting to store up food for winter. This is still often the case. While October is generally the month of the Hunter's Moon and less often November, it is November that people traditionally associate with hunting. Many states have their firearm deer hunting season in November.
How bright is a full moon? A full moon shines at magnitude -12.6. This is almost bright enough to read a book by moonlight, as compared to a new moon when it can be so dark in the countryside that a farmer couldn't see his hand in front of his face.
