"Harvest Moon" Aligns with Saturn in a Double Celestial Event

- The world is set for a unique double celestial event. The first full moon of autumn will reach its peak brightness in the night sky during this weekend, and skywatchers will also have the opportunity to observe the planet Saturn.

The moon will be at its brightest at 12:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time (7:49 PM in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Lebanon, and 8:49 PM in the UAE and Oman) on Saturday, but the best time to see the silvery disk will be shortly after sunset later that same day, according to EarthSky.

The ringed planet will appear golden near the full moon from Friday to Monday. Saturn will reach its "opposition" phase, meaning its position in the sky will be opposite the sun relative to Earth, on October 4th.

Opposition is the best time to view Saturn, as it is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky, according to EarthSky. The planet Neptune will also appear close to the moon, but this faint gas giant is much harder to see without binoculars or a telescope, not to mention the need for a clear, dark sky, according to NASA.

If clouds obstruct the ideal view, the moon will also appear nearly full on Friday and Sunday evenings. The stories and traditions associated with the harvest moon are traditionally known as the "Corn Moon" in September, referring to the time when farmers typically harvest corn, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Some Indigenous groups, such as the Abenaki people in the northeastern United States, refer to it as the "Corn Moon," while the Assiniboine people call it the "Yellow Leaf Moon." However, the lunar event in September of this year is more widely known as the "Harvest Moon," as it occurs very close to the autumnal equinox, which marks the official beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, which took place on Tuesday.

This harvest full moon earned its famous name because farmers would take advantage of its light to continue harvesting crops after sunset, according to the old farmer's almanac. Many Indigenous tribes also use the name "Harvest Moon" when referring to the full moon in September.

The Harvest Moon is often associated with an orange glow, enhancing its distinctive autumnal character. However, any full moon can take on a similar amber hue when viewed near the horizon, as the observer sees it through a thicker layer of the Earth's atmosphere, according to EarthSky.

Upcoming full moon dates There are still three more full moons expected during the year 2026. It is advised to watch for the supermoons in November and December, a phenomenon where the full moon appears larger and brighter than usual due to its proximity to the closest point to Earth in its orbit.

Below is a list of the remaining full moon dates, according to the farmer's almanac: