Skywatchers get two sights for the price of one this weekend, as the full harvest moon shares the night sky with Saturn. KSL.com reports the pairing offers a two-for-one celestial display, with the golden planet appearing near the moon.
The harvest moon is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, and this year it arrives on Saturday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. CNN advises observers to look for the full moon alongside a golden Saturn. FOX 8 News notes that northeast Ohio will have its own viewing window for the event.
The moon's behavior is what sets this full moon apart. Space.com reports the harvest moon has a trick that no other full moon can quite match — a reference to how it rises close to sunset for several evenings in a row, giving farmers extra light after dark in the days around the equinox.
Viewing advice from the outlets is simple: the moon and Saturn should both be visible in the night sky, with Saturn appearing as a bright point of light near the moon rather than a large disk. No special equipment is required to see the pair, though a telescope would help reveal Saturn's details.
The exact timing of moonrise and the pair's position will vary by location, so observers should check local schedules. According to KSL.com, the display is a chance to catch two objects in one look.
What to watch next: check local moonrise times for Saturday, then look for Saturn near the moon through the weekend.
