The stunning Harvest Moon rises Thursday, and D.C. weather is clear for skywatching

By Angela Fritz October 4 at 1:40 PM



Last year’s Harvest Moon rose up in brilliance behind the U.S. Capitol. This year’s rises Thursday at 7:04 p.m. in Washington. (Kevin Ambrose)

A sure sign that fall is here: The Harvest Moon will rise on Thursday night, and skies should be crystal clear for skywatchers and photographers.

Every full moon has a name rooted in various cultures and traditions. The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Usually it occurs in September, but it can be as late as Oct. 7.

The name stems from exactly what you’d expect. Its appearance in the sky was a sign to farmers that it was time to bring in the bushels, and it allowed for a longer, brighter twilight.

Though “Harvest Moon” is the most popular name for the one that rises in October, thanks to the Celtic and Cherokee traditions, there are many more monikers for the autumn full moon:

• Hunter’s Moon (Colonial American)
• Blood Moon (Neo-pagan, Wiccan and English Medieval)
• Kindly Moon (Chinese)
• Blackberry Moon (Choctaw)
• Moon When Quilling and Beading Is Done (Dakota Sioux)
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Angela Fritz is an atmospheric scientist and The Post's deputy weather editor. She has a B.S. in meteorology and an M.S. in earth and atmospheric science. Follow @angelafritz