ANN/THE STAR – Prepare for a celestial marvel as the Harvest Moon, the second of this year’s four supermoons, graces the sky on Wednesday.

Making its appearance closest to the Autumn equinox, this full moon is set to enchant stargazers with its extra-bright and expansive glow.

According to the Science Centre Observatory, a supermoon is a full moon that appears unusually large and bright because it is at the closest point in its orbit to Earth. Expect it to look six per cent to seven per cent bigger than a typical full moon.

The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest to the Autumn equinox, traditionally providing ample light for farmers to work late into the evening and harvest their crops, the observatory said.

This moon is steeped in cultural significance. Native Americans celebrate with harvest festivals, while in Japan, families admire the moon during Tsukimi and give thanks for the harvest. It also usually coincides with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival when families gather to enjoy mooncakes and the full moon.

This year’s supermoon series continues with two more dates: October 17 and November 15. The first supermoon of the year was observed on August 19.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin