North Dakota’s Harvest Moon Will Be A True Celestial Event

North Dakota's Harvest Moon is set to shine tonight!

Not only will it be a full moon, but it will be the 2nd straight month we will witness a "supermoon". A supermoon can appear 30% brighter and 14% larger compared to a full moon because of its closeness to the Earth, according to Space.com.

Not only is it a full supermoon tonight, but if you stay up late you will also get to witness a partial lunar eclipse.

According to ABC News, in the article, September's Harvest Moon will reach peak illumination at about 9:35 Central Time in the Bismarck Mandan area, and that's according to NASA.

The origins of why it's called a Harvest Full Moon goes back to The Old Farmer's Almanac naming full moons back in the 1930s.

The Harvest Moon was adopted because this period became an aid to farmers who were working late putting the crops in the bin.

In this age of GPS-guided tractors, this is probably not as much of a factor in our state of North Dakota.

Full moons are also known to affect the movement of wildlife and even the activity of fish.  For example, waterfowl are known to feed in fields all night long during full moon periods. Fishermen swear by the full moon, who feel fishing usually improves as the fish become more active.

When can we expect to see the partial lunar eclipse on tonight's Harvest Moon supermoon?

According to NASA, the Harvest Full Moon will start entering the Earth's partial shadow at 7:41 Central Time, and the full shadow will be visible at 9:13 PM tonight with the peak of the eclipse at 10:44 pm, Bismarck Mandan time.

The moon will then finish exiting the full shadow at 10:16 pm and the partial shadow tonight at 11:47 pm.

(Lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye)

One thing could disrupt this cosmic show tonight. Clouds, as thunderstorms are possible, especially over western North Dakota.

Might be a good night to get the bonfire going and enjoy the celestial show.  Let's hope the weather cooperates.