The first supermoon of the year will be visible in the sky this week, providing a chance to see the moon looking bigger and brighter than usual.
It will also be the first full moon of the Autumn Equinox, which began on September 22, and is so-called the Harvest Moon.
Here, ITV News explains the meaning behind the Harvest Moon name and where to see it.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with a particularly close orbit around Earth.
The proximity makes the moon appear bigger and brighter than usual.
A supermoon is usually visible three or four times a year due to the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.
This year, the Harvest Moon will be the first supermoon to appear since November 2024 and will mark the start of three consecutive supermoons to close the year.
Where does the name Harvest Moon come from?
All full moons are given names, which are often linked to the time of year they occur. The names were given by Native Americans in North America in a bid to track the seasons.
There are some variations in the list, depending on where you look, as different tribes and settlers around the world created their own. However, the most common is the Farmers’ Almanac list, which we have adopted in the UK.
The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox.
Traditionally, light from the moon at the time of year allowed farmers to work into the night and bring in crops from the field – hence the name, Harvest Moon.
When and where to see the Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon will rise in the UK at 6.20pm on Tuesday, October 7.
Calmer conditions in the wake of Storm Amy should mean good visibility for the moon.
The Met Office is currently forecasting a mild night, with patches of cloud and some clear spells across the UK.
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