2006-06-29 19:08:22 · 8 answers · asked by silverclaw_firefly 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Harvest Moon is the full moon that appears nearest to the autumnal equinox, which occurs on or about 23 September. It is also known as the Wine Moon, the Singing Moon and the Elk Call Moon. Sometimes it occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon.
The appearance of the Harvest Moon begins the first of the harvesting months in the Northern Hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate the harvests with gatherings, festivals, and rituals that are closely associated with the Harvest Moon.
At this time, the moon rises at a point which is opposite to the sun, and is situated close to the eastern point of the horizon.
It is sometimes claimed that the harvest moon seems to be somehow "larger" than other full moons. The human eye sees a low hanging moon as being larger than one that rides high in the sky. This is known as a Moon illusion, because the image of the moon in the sky is always the same size. A similar lunar effect is seen at the time of the spring equinox, which occurs on or about 21 March.
The harvest moon gets its name from the fact that farmers who were harvesting their crops at this time of year were able to use the extra light of the harvest moon to continue the work in the fields. In October, the full moon can exhibit a similar effect, and is called the hunter's moon because it could be used to hunt game. There was also a Neil Young album of the same name out in the early 1990's.
2006-06-29 19:17:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Harvest Moon is the full moon that appears nearest to the autumnal equinox, which occurs on or about 23 September. This moon is also known as the Wine Moon, the Singing Moon and the Elk Call Moon. It sometimes occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon.
The appearance of the Harvest Moon begins the first of the harvesting months in the Northern Hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate the harvests with gatherings, festivals, and rituals that are intricately attuned to the Harvest Moon.
The harvest moon gets its name from the fact that farmers who were harvesting their crops at this time of year were able to use the extra light of the harvest moon to continue the work in the fields. In October, the full moon for that month can exhibit a similar effect, and is called the hunter's moon.
2006-06-29 19:12:12 · answer #2 · answered by stephen_fair 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a "Harvest Moon" because farmers could work later in the fields on that night to bring in the crops in the days before modern equiptment with lights....
2006-06-29 19:20:09 · answer #3 · answered by Lovina W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the moon is more of the orange color in October and that is when most people do their harvesting. Plus orange moons are cool.
2006-06-29 19:28:27 · answer #4 · answered by gentsocar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it's usually in the fall, (harvest time)
and allot of people burn, and the smoke in the air makes the moon appear orange.
2006-06-29 19:14:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause you only see one during the harvest season.
2006-06-29 19:11:45 · answer #6 · answered by skipped82451 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's when all of the farmers would get together to pull their pants down and show each other their bums, so now you know where two terms came from, lucky you
2006-06-29 20:51:22 · answer #7 · answered by sooperman1234 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/canadian_tourism/76562
this web site should explain it, it looks like it is sponsored by google just scrool down until you get to the article
2006-06-29 19:57:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋