Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon is my favorite full moon of the year.
Space.com has some interesting information about the Harvest Moon this year:

Between 1970 and 2050, there are 18 years when the harvest moon comes in October. The last time was in 2006 and next time will be in 2017. The 2009 version of the harvest moon comes unusually late, although it can occur as early as September 8 (as in 1976) or as late as October 7 (as in 1987).

What sets the harvest full moon apart from the others is that farmers at the climax of the current harvest season can work late into the night by the moon's light. It rises about the time the sun sets, but more importantly, at this time of year, instead of rising its normal average 50 minutes later each evening, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night.

I also like the song "Shine on Harvest Moon" written in 1908 by Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. I especially like the chorus:

Oh, Shine on, shine on harvest moon, up in the sky;
I ain't had no lovin' since April, January, June or July.
Snow time ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon,
So shine on, shine on harvest moon, for me and my gal.

You can read the full lyrics of the song HERE. The link below takes you to Space.com

Enjoy the moon tonight!!

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