On the night of September 1-2, 2020 the third and last full moon of our Northern Hemisphere summer will take place. Simply put, this is the last of three full moons to appear in between the June 20 solstice and the September 22 equinox.

The September full moon also presents the Harvest Moon to the Northern Hemisphere. This happens because the September full moon – more frequently than not – is the closest full moon to the September equinox. However, this year, the first of two full moons in October 2020 occur closer to this equinox. Therefore, this year’s Harvest Moon will be happening on October 1.There are a few names we in North America use in case the September full moon is not the Harvest Moon. For example: Fruit Moon, the Corn Moon, or Barley Moon.

When can you see it?

The corn moon will be completely full on September 2, 2020 at 5:22 UTC. In the North American and U.S. time zones, which corresponds to the 2nd of September at 2:22 a.m. ADT, 1:22 a.m. EDT, 12:22 a.m. CDT – yet on September 1, at 11:22 p.m. MDT, 10:22 p.m. PDT, 9:22 p.m. ADKT and 7:22 p.m. HST.

From an astronomical perspective, the full moon happens at a well-defined moment: when the moon is precisely 180o from the sun in celestial longitude. That indicates that the moon appears opposite the sun as determined along the ecliptic, which represents the regular course of the sun across the zodiac constellations.

However, the moon remains full to the eye for up to two to three days. So, no matter where you live on the wide globe of the Earth, prepare for the full and bright presence of the moon tonight as it peaks over the eastern horizon at dusk or very early evening.

After that, the dazzling moon is going to shine all night long!