Phoenix, AZ – Southwest skywatchers are in for a breathtaking sight Tuesday night as a Super Harvest Moon rises over Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, glowing up to 30% brighter and larger than an average full moon.
According to astronomers, this event merges two lunar phenomena: a supermoon, which occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth, and the Harvest Moon, the full moon nearest to the autumn equinox. The result is one of the brightest and most visually stunning moons of the year, glowing deep orange as it rises over the desert horizon.
The Moon will reach full illumination at 3:48 a.m. GMT (8:48 p.m. MST/PDT Monday), though the best viewing across the Southwest will occur just after sunset Tuesday. Experts note this alignment is rare—only the 18th early-October Harvest Moon in the past 80 years…