What you need to know about the September Harvest Supermoon

The largest full moon of the year, the Harvest Supermoon will be visible in the skies over Australia on Wednesday.

The September Harvest Supermoon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox*.

This specific full moon is known as the Harvest Moon because, historically, it provided extra light for farmers during the critical harvest season, allowing them to work later into the night to gather their crops.

WHEN CAN WE SEE IT?
The moon will reach its peak fullness at 12:34 PM (AEST) on Wednesday, which means it will appear large in the sky, but the best time to view it will be between 6pm and 7pm.

WHERE TO SEE IT
“On September 18 the full moon will occur when the moon is just a little closer to Earth than usual,” said Sydney Observatory education program producer and astronomer Geoffrey Watt on the observatory’s website. “As a result, it will be a little bigger and a little brighter in a phenomenon now called a supermoon*. To enjoy it, make sure you find somewhere with a clear view to the eastern horizon, sit, wait and watch the stunning moonrise”.

Escape digital editor Simone Mitchell said to experience the supermoon, consider heading to locations away from city lights where the sky is darker and the view is clearer. Her recommended spots across Australia are:

Sydney: Bondi Beach and the Royal Botanic Garden offer fantastic views of the moon rising over the water.

Melbourne: The Yarra River and St Kilda Beach provide a beautiful backdrop for moon gazing.

Brisbane: Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens are excellent spots to catch the lunar event.

Perth: Cottesloe Beach and Kings Park offer unobstructed views of the night sky.

Adelaide: Glenelg Beach and Mount Lofty provide ideal vantage points*.

Hobart: Hobart’s Eastern Harbour offers a good spot to take in the sights.

Darwin: Waterfront precinct, Stokes Hill Wharf, Fishermen’s Jetty, Nightcliff Beach or Nightcliff Jetty.

WHAT IS A SUPERMOON?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon or a new moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit. During a supermoon, the moon appears around 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than when it is at its farthest point. This makes it an appealing event for astronomers and skywatchers alike.

TWO MORE SUPERMOONS
There are four supermoons in 2024, there was the Super Blue Moon on August 19. This second supermoon on Wednesday, the Harvest Moon will also see the moon undergoing a partial lunar eclipse* but this is not expected to be visible in Australia.

The remaining supermoons will be on October 17 and November 15.

IMPORTANCE OF THE HARVEST SUPERMOON
Traditionally, the Harvest Moon was a valuable natural aid for farmers, who used its light to extend their working hours during the harvest season. The Harvest Moon holds significance in various cultures and traditions. Many societies have associated it with the time of harvest and festivals celebrating the bounty of the Earth, such as the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival or North American Harvest festivals.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• autumnal equinox: when the sun is exactly above the equator and day and night are the same length
• supermoon: when the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time it is full
• vantage points: places to see it from
• partial lunar eclipse: when part of the full moon is covered by the Earth’s shadow

EXTRA READING
Millions pause to see rare eclipse
Rare ‘super blue moon’ is rising
How do animals behave in an eclipse?

QUICK QUIZ
1. Why is it known as the Harvest Supermoon?
2. When is the best time to see it?
3. What is a supermoon?
4. How many supermoons are there in 2024?
5. How did the Harvest Moon traditionally help farmers?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. News: condensed
Identify the most important pieces of information in this article and write a condensed version of it using 50 words or less.

Draw a picture or diagram to support your condensed news story.

Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science

2. Extension
Compare your condensed news story with a classmate. Did you both include the same information or are your stories quite different? Discuss your choices and then work together to create a final condensed version of the story that you both agree tells the important parts that a reader would need or want to know.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY
Literacy game: Supermoon adventure story
Objective:
Create an imaginative adventure story using key details from the article and exploring language features.

Instructions:
1. Students need to sit in a circle made up of about 4-5 students. Ask them to decide the order in which each person will add a sentence to the story. (You can start with a volunteer or come up with a fun way to choose the first storyteller- paper, scissors, rock, is always a hit).

2. Start the story with a sentence about the night sky and introduce the idea of a Harvest Supermoon.

Example Story Starter: “On a clear night, a group of stargazers gathered in the park, their eyes fixed on the sky, waiting for something magical to happen.”

3. Then ask the students to continue your story by going around the circle, with each person adding a new sentence to build the adventure story. Challenge them to use descriptive language to make their story exciting and imaginative.

4. Next, challenge them to try and include at least two details or language from the article in their story. For example, mention the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival or use the words “Harvest Moon,” “autumnal equinox,” “supermoon,” or any other interesting words from the article.

5. Finish the story with an exciting ending that relates to the Harvest Supermoon. Or you could end with their stories with the moon disappearing, the characters having an adventure under the moonlight, or any other creative ending.

Adaptation:
Ask more capable or older students to add a scribe to the group that will record the story as it is told.

– Once the story is complete, read it aloud to the group.

– Listen to your friends’ imaginative ideas and enjoy the adventure you’ve created together!

Remember, the goal is to have fun and for the students to let their imaginations run wild while incorporating the details from the article into their adventure story!