For several evenings before and after its peak, due to the angle of the moon’s orbit relative to the Earth’s horizon being at a minimum, the moon rises above the horizon much faster than usual—soon after sunset.

But in the case of the Harvest Moon in mid-temperate latitudes, that successively increasing rise time is cut in half, to 20-25 minutes.

(It’s even shorter in northern latitudes like Alaska, where the moon will rise at nearly the same time for a whole week.) So for several days before and after the full moon on Sept.

The Harvest Moon will provide a rare abundance of light from dusk-till-dawn.

The Harvest Moon has a reputation for being larger and more reddish-orange in color than other full moons, but this is largely a misconception.

The Harvest Moon is no bigger than any other full moon—and its size differs every year.