Harvest Supermoon Lights Up The Sky in India: How to Watch and Shoot Last Supermoon of 2023

WHY IT IS CALLED HARVEST SUPERMOON? The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is usually in September or October. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is usually in March or April. The Harvest Moon has a special significance for farmers, as it provides light for harvesting crops late into the evening. It is also a popular time for people to gather outdoors and enjoy the full moon.

According to NASA, the upcoming supermoon will be about 361867-km from Earth, making it appear about 5% larger and 13% brighter than the average full moon this year. The last supermoon will be accompanied by a celestial parade featuring Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury.

HARVEST SUPERMOON VISIBLE IN INDIA

The Harvest Moon is visible in India after sunset on September 28 and will remain till 4:30 am on September 29. It will rise in the east at sunset and set in the west the next morning.

However, cloudy skies in most parts of the country are likely to disappoint skywatchers, obscuring the view of the spectacular Supermoon. Despite this, there is always hope for some regions to have clearer skies, so it’s worth keeping an eye on local weather updates and heading to higher elevations or less light-polluted areas for a chance to catch a glimpse of the celestial event.

What exactly is a supermoon?

A supermoon is a term used to describe a full moon that appears larger and brighter in the night sky than a typical full moon. This occurs because the moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle; it’s slightly elliptical. When a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth (perigee), it appears about 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its farthest point (apogee).

What is a Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is a specific full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which usually happens towards the end of September in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also occur in early October, depending on the year. The Harvest Moon is not defined by its size or brightness but by its timing and role in agriculture.

HOW TO VIEW HARVEST MOON

Use binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look.

Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. Consider heading to an elevated location or an area with minimal light pollution for the best view.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Clear skies are ideal for moon-watching and photography.

Take pictures of the moon with your camera or smartphone.

TIPS ON HOW TO SHOOT THE MOON WITH A CAMERA

1. Use a tripodThe moon is a relatively slow-moving object, but it’s still important to use a tripod to keep your camera steady and avoid blurry photos.
2. Use a telephoto lensA telephoto lens will allow you to zoom in on the moon and get a closer look. A focal length of 200mm or more is ideal.
3. Use a fast shutter speedA fast shutter speed will help to freeze the motion of the moon and prevent blurry photos. A shutter speed of 1/250th of a second or faster is recommended.
4. Use a low ISO settingA low ISO setting will help to reduce noise in your photos. An ISO setting of 100 or 200 is a good starting point.
5. Use manual modeManual mode will give you the most control over your camera settings. To use manual mode, you’ll need to adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings.
6. Experiment with different settingsThere is no one-size-fits-all setting for shooting the moon. Experiment with different settings to see what works best for your camera and the conditions you’re shooting in.

Here are some additional tips:

1. If you’re shooting with a DSLR camera, use a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake.
2. If you’re shooting with a smartphone, use a tripod adapter to keep your phone steady.
3. If you’re shooting in low light conditions, use a high ISO setting, but be careful not to overexpose your photos.
4. If you’re shooting with a telephoto lens, you may need to adjust the white balance to compensate for the color shift that can occur.
5. Be patient. It may take some time to get the perfect shot of the moon.

Here are some creative ways to shoot the moon:

1. Use a foreground object to create a sense of depth in your photo.
2. Try shooting the moon during a different phase of the moon, such as a crescent moon or a full moon.
3. Use a long exposure to capture the movement of the moon across the sky.
4. Experiment with different editing techniques to create unique and interesting photos of the moon.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE HARVEST MOON

1. The Harvest Moon is the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox.
2. It rises shortly after sunset for several evenings in a row.
3. It is larger and brighter than the average full moon.
4. The Harvest Moon has been celebrated for centuries by people all over the world.