The harvest moon rises over Sauvie Island, Ore., on Saturday. The harvest moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. The full harvest moon's name is attributed to Native Americans because it marked the time of year when corn was supposed to be harvested and is the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox, often falling in September but occasionally in October.
Mike Zacchino, AP
A commercial airplane takes off from Vienna Schwechat International Airport before the harvest moon.
Alexander Klein, AFP/Getty Images
A nearly full harvest moon shines above St. Joseph Catholic and St. John Lutheran Cemetery in LaPorte, Ind., as lights from Kiwanis Football Stadium create an eerie effect by lighting up the tombstones on Friday.
Bob Wellinski, The Herald Argus via AP
The harvest moon shines over this 1946 Piper Cub airplane after landing in Warrenton, Va.
Tim Loehrke, USA TODAY
A full moon rises over a central Illinois cornfield in Springfield on Aug. 24, 2010.
Seth Perlman, AP
The harvest moon sets as the sun rises on the Grand Tetons on Oct. 6, 1998, in Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.
Jonathan Adams, Jackson Hole via AP
In 2010, the harvest moon, seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Afton, Va., fell on the same day as the autumnal equinox, Sept. 22. The harvest moon is not really bigger, brighter or more pumpkin-colored than other full moons, but it’s special because, at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere, the time between successive moonrises – from one night to the next – is shorter than usual.
Pat Jarrett, The News Leader via AP
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