2026, September 25-29: Harvest Moon and Saturn Share the Autumn Sky During the Season’s First Week

September 25-29, 2026: The Harvest Moon occurs September 26 and appears near Saturn during several evenings. Learn why the moon rises later each night while changing little in altitude after sunset.

2019, February 28: Morning Star Venus, Saturn, Moon, and Jupiter arch across the southeastern morning sky. The moon as about midway between Jupiter and Saturn.
Photo Caption – 2019, February 28: Morning Star Venus, Saturn, Moon, and Jupiter arch across the southeastern morning sky. The moon as about midway between Jupiter and Saturn.

by Jeffrey L. Hunt

Venus as an Evening Star

Harvest Moon

Full moon
Full Moon (NASA Photo)

The Full Harvest Moon occurs on September 26 at 11:49 a.m. Central Time, before it rises across North America. On the evening of the Full Moon, it appears near Saturn as the planet approaches opposition. The bright moon is visible at about the same hour across several evenings.

The Harvest Moon is the seasonal Full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. Traditionally, its bright light helped farmers extend their working hours during the harvest season.

Harvest Moon Effect

Seasonal Ecliptic
Chart Caption – The ecliptic’s seasonal orientations from spring to autumn are demonstrated.

At the mid-northern latitudes during this season, the ecliptic – the plane of the solar system – makes a shallow angle with the eastern and western horizons. The visibilities of Venus and Mercury are affected by this low tilt. While both planets are bright, they remain low in the western sky after sunset.

In the eastern sky, the moon moves about 13° eastward from night to night. That is slightly larger than the sky covered by an extended fist from pinky finger to thumb knuckle. Because the moon’s orbital path is nearly parallel to the horizon, its altitude – angular height above the horizon – changes little from evening to evening, while moonrise occurs about 50 minutes later each night. Across the five evenings described here, the moon’s altitude changes by only about 20°.

Saturn Near Opposition

Saturn
Image Caption –
This NASA Hubble Space Telescope photo of Saturn reveals the planet’s cloud bands and a phenomenon called ring spokes.

On the evening of September 26, the Harvest Moon appears near Saturn, one week before the Ringed Wonder reaches opposition. At opposition, Earth is between Saturn and the sun. The Full Moon is at opposition as well.

At this place in the sky, Saturn and the moon are visible nearly all night, rising near sunset, appearing southward around midnight, and setting near sunrise.

Highlights

Saturn, Moon, September 25-29, 2026
Chart Caption – 2026, September 25-29: The Harvest Moon moves eastward from night to night changing little in its altitude. It passes Saturn on September 26.

Here is what to see two hours after sunset, looking eastward:

  • September 25: The nearly Full Moon is less than 30° above the east-southeast horizon and 17° to Saturn’s upper right.
  • September 26: The Harvest Moon is over 20° above the east-southeast horizon and nearly 6° above Saturn.
  • September 27: The bright moon is over 15° above the eastern horizon, 12.5° to Saturn’s lower left, and over 15° to Hamal’s right, Aries’ brightest star. Use a binocular to locate the star through the moonlight.
  • September 28: The gibbous moon, 93% illuminated, is over 10° above the east-northeast horizon, 26° to Saturn’s lower left, and 6.2° to Hamal’s lower right.
  • September 29: The lunar orb, 86% illuminated, is 5° above the east-northeast horizon and 14° to Hamal’s lower left.

As the new season begins, look for Saturn near the Harvest Moon. Notice the moon’s nightly eastward movement while its height above the horizon changes little from evening to evening.

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