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Daily Record
Daily Record
Science
Shavali Best & Jennifer Russell

There's a Harvest Moon tonight for the first time in 19 years on Friday the 13th

Today is Friday the 13th and while we thought things couldn't get any spookier, tonight there's also a full moon.

A full moon on only happens once every 20 years or so on average, with the last one in October 2000.

And the next Full Moon on Friday the 13th will take even longer and will not appear until August 13, 2049.

So this makes tonight's full moon even more special, and superstitious.

Astronomers are also in for an additional surprise because tonight’s Full Moon happens to be the annual Harvest Moon and a Micromoon to boot, the Mirror reports.

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the September equinox each year, which only means one thing - autumn is finally almost upon us.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Harvest Moon, including what it is, and how you can see it.

When is the Harvest Moon?

The moon should be visible after sunset, which is at 19:20 BST, although the Harvest Moon will peak in the early hours of Saturday morning, at 04:34 BST.

What is a Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the September equinox every year.

A full moon takes place when our lunar satellite is located on the opposite side of the Earth as the sun.

This means that the moon’s face is fully illuminated in the night sky.

Why is it called the Harvest Moon?

This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Harvest Moon, because it took place during the time of year when corn was harvested.

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