For several evenings during mid-September through mid-October, the moonrise comes soon after sunset. This results in an abundance of bright moonlight early in the evening, which was a traditional aide to farmers and crews harvesting their summer-grown crops. Hence, it’s called the “Harvest” Moon!
This full moon was known to Native American Tribes as the Sturgeon Moon. This is because they knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full moon.
The Dakotah Sioux called it "Moon When All Things Ripen" and the Ojibwe called it the "Blueberry Moon"
The moon will be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moon to interefere.
July's full moon is known as the Buck Moon because during this time of year a bucks antlers are in full growth mode. Other names for this full moon include the Ripe Corn Moon and the Thunder Moon.
This full moon will also be the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century. You may hear it referred to as the Blood Moon Eclipse because of the red or ruddy brown shade it will turn during the eclipse. You won't be able to see this event from North America, but you can take a look at a live feed on an astronomy site like Slooh if you are interested.
49 Years ago today Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the Moon.
Tonight is the best night to observe the Milky Way and faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 26.4 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
Tonight's full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon. No, it will not be pink this full moon gets it's name from Colonial America and the Algonquin Tribe.
By naming the phases of the moon they were better able to keep track of the seasons and changes in the landscape. They call it the Strawberry Moon because it signaled the time to harvest ripening berries.
