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September’s full harvest moon will pair with Saturn
CNN • • science
Key Points:
- The first full moon of the fall season will peak in brightness at 12:49 p.m. ET on Saturday, with optimal viewing just after sunset, accompanied by a visible golden Saturn near the moon from Friday to Monday.
- Saturn will reach opposition on October 4, making it the best time to observe the planet as it will be closest to Earth and appear larger and brighter in the night sky.
- Neptune will also appear near the moon but is much harder to see without binoculars or a telescope, requiring clear, dark skies for optimal viewing.
- September’s full moon is traditionally called the harvest moon due to its proximity to the autumnal equinox and its historical role in providing light for farmers to continue harvesting crops after sunset.
- There are three more full moons to look forward to in 2026, including November and December supermoons, when the moon appears larger and brighter as it nears Earth in its orbit.
