The Harvest Moon
 | Author:
Jeff Ross
Contributor |
In our part of Montana we have transitioned from a summer-long stretch of clear skies (at least when it wasn't raining!) to hazy/ smokey skies. As I write this, visibility is down to two miles. Overnight I could not even see the lights of town or the Silos across the lake--let alone anything in the night sky.
Once our clear skies return we'll have plenty to see. Already, favorite fall and winter constellations are visible, rising in the east before dawn. From where I am, the Pleiades are a few degrees above the Big Belts around 2:00 a.m. Taurus rises next. Just before dawn we can see the shoulders of Orion. It won't be long before we will see all of Orion in the dawn sky.
Saturday our Moon reaches full. This full Moon is the closest to the Autumnal Equinox and in our culture is known as the Harvest Moon, rising at approximately sunset for about three nights in a row. Folklore says that these extra bright nights after sunset allowed farmers more time to bring in the harvest before the frosts of fall arrive.
In our area, the Blackfoot people call the August Full Moon
Pak-Ki-Pis-Tsi'o-Taa'-T-Ts-Pi or "When the Chokecherries Are Ripe". The September Full Moon is II-Ta- Wa-Pi'-Ts-ko or "When the Leaves Change Color".
Regardless of what we might choose to name this Full Moon, it is a good time to take a few moments to watch the Full Moon rise over the Big Belts around sunset. The unaided eye works fine but if you have them, a pair of binoculars really work well. First, you'll see a brightening glow on the eastern horizon. In moments you'll be able to see just a bright sliver as the Moon crests the mountain. With surprising speed the Moon will clear the mountain as our Earth rotates, bringing the Moon into view. It is a powerful visual reminder of just how fast our planet rotates.
With clear skies, of course.
