Shine on belated Harvest Moon

[Weather-history]

The harvest moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. It occurs during the early hours of 7th October this year and is later than usual. It was also be slightly larger than average because the full moon is occurring close to perigee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvest_moon

Shine on Harvest Moon: Words by (Lyricist): Jack Norworth

Music by (Composer): Nora Bayes-Norworth

The night was mighty dark so you could hardly see,

For the moon refused to shine.

Couple sitting underneath a willow tree,

For love they did pine,

Little maid was kinda 'fraid of darkness

So she said, "I guess I'll go."

Boy began to sigh, looked up at the sky,

Told the moon his little tale of woe:

"Oh, shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky.

I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June or July

Snowtime ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon,

So shine on, shine on harvest moon - for me and my gal!"

I can't see why a boy should sigh,

When by his side is the girl he loves so true,

All he has to say is:

"Won't you be my bride,

For I love you,

Why should I be telling you this secret,

When I know that you can guess?"

Harvest moon will smile,

Shine on all the while,

If the little girl should answer "yes."

"Oh, shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky.

I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June or July

Snowtime ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon

So shine on, shine on harvest moon - for me and my gal!"

Edited October 1, 2006 by Mr_Data

[Hairy Celt]

Or neil young's song:

Come a little bit closer

Hear what I have to say

Just like children sleepin

We could dream this night away.

But theres a full moon risin

Lets go dancin in the light

We know where the musics playin

Lets go out and feel the night.

Because Im still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because Im still in love with you

On this harvest moon.

When we were strangers

I watched you from afar

When we were lovers

I loved you with all my heart.

But now its gettin late

And the moon is climbin high

I want to celebrate

See it shinin in your eye.

Because Im still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because Im still in love with you

On this harvest moon.

[Andy Bown]

Thanks for the info .

The weather yesterday evening was slightly different to the steriotypical sunshine and showers, it was moonshine and showers . Lovely to see the low half moon looking ghostly through CB anvils and low scuddy clouds.

[Hiya]

Or Runrig's song:

Sons and daughters of the dust

Strangers of time and place

For a while your limbs entwine

Holy marriage of the flesh

But I know your ways

Your ways are not mortal thought

Till the day breaks and shadows run

Run away

So shine on harvest moon

Cast your might on the ripening corn

And I look at your life

Hold you in my arms

With all the power in the days of youth

In the fullness of love

Fields run deep in golden swards

Hot summer winds blow through the corn

Cast off your sorrows now you stand

In the presence of the Lord

And your radiance shines

Like the moon of all innocent grace

To know that we dared breathe belief

To love again

[Stray]

Blimey ... begs the question can you whistle ?

Nice though

maybe there should be a post somewhere for our favourate "weather" inspired song>?

Edited October 3, 2006 by Stray

[Weather-history]

It was also be slightly larger than average because the full moon is occurring close to perigee.

Here's the Moon at perigee and apogee and you can see the difference in the size. At pergiee the angular diameter of the Moon is 33' 31.8" and at apogee its 29' 23"

Picture by the Galileo Project, NASA

[Hairy Celt]

why do we always see the same face of our moon?

[Hiya]

the moon is tidally locked into that position caused by the gravitational attraction between the earth and the moon.

[Hairy Celt]

does that mean it's denser on our side? (or is that just me...)

Edited October 4, 2006 by Hairy Celt

[Hiya]

denser, mmm not sure about that, but i think you mean a bulge? The moon is an egg shape, with the narrow end pointing towards earth.

I should say we observe a similar effect on earth, which is manifested in the tides.

Edited October 4, 2006 by Hiya

[Hairy Celt]

so the earth and the moon slowly become pointier and pointier, pointing at each other.... hmmmm....

think i might stick to neil young.

Edited October 4, 2006 by Hairy Celt

[Weather-history]

Its the Harvest Moon tonight.

The Moon rises about 6.15pm, the earlier it is if you are further east and later if you are further west

[Andy Bown]

Its the Harvest Moon tonight.The Moon rises about 6.15pm, the earlier it is if you are further east and later if you are further west.

Between the showers then, just thought - the scudding low cloud and the brightness of the low full moon should make quite a good effect.

[Stray]

Hoping for nice clear skies.

But ... following the wiki link says it's the HUNTERS moon ?

not trying to be pedantic or owt but I've been telling the kids lol!

[Weather-history]

But ... following the wiki link says it's the HUNTERS moon ?

The Hunter's Moon is the next full moon after the Harvest Moon.

[Stray]

they are not my kids so let em diss Aunty Stray and do their own research (like that'll happen .... once in a blue moon )

Certainly was not questioning your wherewithall Mr Data - you are one of my secret NetWeather.tv heroes

[Hiya]

Hunter's moon is when the aliens come to get us...

[stella]

The Hunter's Moon is the next full moon after the Harvest Moon.

Not according to this BBC link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/myspace/nightsky/

:lol:

[Weather-history]

Not according to this BBC link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/myspace/nightsky/

SKY MAPS & NOTES - October 2006

"The Hunter's Moon occurs on 29 October - this is the name given to the full Moon following September's Harvest Moon"

That info is horribly wrong. The Harvest Moon has just occurred this October and the Hunter Moon won't occur until the 5th of November. The dates are wrong.

Edited October 7, 2006 by Mr_Data

[Gray-Wolf]

When the moons phases are positioned at their extremes people can easily become confused as to the full moon to follow. Mr Data is correct (I.M.O.) but the moons are 'late' this year!

[Weather-history]

To work out the date of the Harvest Moon.

By definition, the Harvest Moon is full moon nearest the autumnal equinox

The date of the autumnal equinox is the 23rd of September for 2006

The date of the full moon in September 2006: 7th

The date of the full moon in October 2006: 7th

The number of days from the September full moon to the equinox: 16 days

The number of days from the equinox to the October full moon: 14 days

By definition, the Harvest Moon is full moon nearest the autumnal equinox so the October 7th full moon is the Harvest Moon because it is nearest the equinox.

Edited October 7, 2006 by Mr_Data

[Gray-Wolf]

Thanks Mr D. I suspected as much! Like many of our ' Christianised 'Pagan celebrations the use of a full moon to allow for evening travel/party lights isn't that dumb I.M.H.O. !

[*AL*]

:lol: Yep stunning moon last night!

[nigelonline]

is the hunters moon also a blue moon?

[Weather-history]

is the hunters moon also a blue moon?

. No, a blue moon is the second full moon that falls within a calendar month. The last blue moon was during July 2004 and the next one is May or June 2007 depending on your line of longitude :lol:

However a blue moon can also be the third full moon of 4 full moons in a season. Its very complicated to say the least.

Edited October 8, 2006 by Mr_Data