The full moon closest to the fall equinox is the ” Harvest Moon” – those of us in the northern hemisphere can expect a behemoth moon rising shortly after sunset tonight. Harvest moons appear larger because of the ecliptic orbit of our moons path in relation to the earth. The same phenomenon that sees the moon rise 20 minutes or so earlier than normal, forcing us to view it through thicker atmosphere – accounting for characteristic orange monster moons.
The harvest moon is familiar to just about everyone – our moon has many names, depending on the time of year. January brings the wolf moon; named by native Americans and medieval Europeans for the howling of hungry wolves in the dead of winter. February sees the storm, snow and hunger moon rise in the icy sky. Native Americans called the last full moon of March the worm moon after worm trails that appeared in the thawing snow. The Pink moon of April is for blossoming trees, also known as the sprouting grass, fish, and egg moon. May’s flower moon or corn planting moon is followed by the strawberry moon to native Americans or rose moon to Europeans. Native Americans saw the full moon of July as the buck moon, for male deer shedding their antlers. The sturgeon moon of August for plentiful fish, also called the green corn, grain, and red moon. September’s harvest moon is followed by the hunter’s moon in October. November has the beaver or frost moon, finally the cold or long night moon of December.
I went outside for an early howl at the harvest moon. Clouds wrapped every corner of the sky, and still the moon cast my shadow. Second thoughts on considering my neighbour’s baby, compounded by scrutiny from the old woman in the window of the retirement home, stifled my bravado. Instead I did a little moon dance while humming Neil Young’s Harvest Moon.
A link to sunrise/sunset locater…
http://www.sunrisesunset.com/predefined.asp
The link that will answer any astronomical question…..
http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services
Earthsky link to Harvest Moon,,,,,
notestoponder 
I never knew there were so many names for all the full moons you have made me a bit smarter for the day 🙂
Ha! I know!
Very useful info! Thank You!
My mind’s eye can see you doing your moon dance and humming gently. It is a pleasant vision.
It was a pleasant dance 🙂
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The craziest moon was Keith Moon…but this song is pretty cool, too.
🙂
I was surprised last night when I went out to moon watch. I’ve seen Harvest Moons in a few parts of the U.S. but last night’s Harvest Moon in Frisco CO was about the least impressive. Not sure why. Didn’t look much different than any other that I’ve seen. Hope you had better luck.
P