Full Moon in September 2022 – Harvest Moon in North & Worm Moon in Southern Hemisphere

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Whether the full moon in September 2022 is a Harvest Moon or a Worm Moon is not rocket science to solve. I mean, it’s just simple physics. The ninth full moon of 2022 in the earth’s northern hemisphere is known as the Harvest Moon. This September full moon will occur on Saturday, September 10 at 05:59 Eastern Standard Time (EST).

On the contrary, for the people living in the southern hemisphere; let’s say Australian People, they call the full moon in September 2022 a Worm Moon. In earth’s southern areas, the worm moon will occur on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 20:59 at Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

 

Why Different Full Moon Names in Different Hemispheres?

Just because there is approximately 6 months of seasonal difference between the northern and southern hemispheres, people living above and below the equator use different full moon names.

summer-and-winter-solstice-in-northern-and-southern-hemisphere
When there is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, there is the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. Pic credit: Wikimedia Commons

Obviously, now you would be thinking that what could be the reason behind the seasonal difference between the two hemispheres?

Well, just because the earth has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees, there is a seasonal mismatch between the southern and the northern hemisphere. See the above image for proper understanding.

However, If you wanna know more about the earth’s tilt and how it affects the seasons on the earth, you can check this article. I can bet you will love this piece of article.

 

Different Full Moon Names in Northern Hemisphere

For millennia, ancient humans have used different seasons as a guide to track the different full moon phases. Or, you can say for millennia, humans have used the full moon phases to track the changing seasons. However, seasons are not the only possible way to define different full moon names.

I mean the names given to the various full moon phases are based upon a couple of different sources. Out of all, the most famous and widely acknowledged full moon names come from the tribes of Native American culture.

As per the legends, in order to keep track of changing seasons, the Algonquin tribal people used to follow the lunar calendar rather than following the solar calendar.

These full moon names were later adopted by Colonial Americans and European settlers. And, with time, these names were finally integrated with the modern (Georgian calendar) calendar.

Full Moon in September 2022 – Harvest Moon in Northern Hemisphere

september-full-moon-harvest-moon-in-northern-hemisphere
A Portray of Autumn (Harvest) Moon just before the arrival of fall in the northern hemisphere. Image Credit: E. Irving Couse

In the northern hemisphere, the full moon in September is known as Harvest Moon. WHY? Because this is the time of the year when harvesting takes place in the earth’s northern areas.

Not to mention, this full moon will also be the last full moon before the occurrence of the September Equinox in the northern hemisphere. In 2022, September Equinox i.e the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere will occur on Thursday, September 22 at 21:04 Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Other Cultural Full Moon Names for September 2022 in Northern Hemisphere

Well, if you go somewhere away from your native place, you will see that local indigenous people have their own indigenous full moon names. For example:

  • In Indian Culture, the full moon in September is known as Madhu Purnima. Not to mention, the full moon in Hindi is known as Purnima.
  • English Medival people call it a Barley Moon.
  • Chinese people call the full moon in September a Chrysanthemum Moon.
  • Dakotah people call it the Moon When The Calves Grow Hair.
  • Cherokee tribe people call it the Nut Moon.
  • Colonial American People call it the Harvest Moon.
  • Choctaw tribe people call it the Mulberry Moon, etc.

 

Different Full Moon Names in Southern Hemisphere

You would be baffled to know that the full moon names used in the southern hemisphere are the same as the northern hemisphere, just the seasonal difference. Wanna know why???

Well, because most of the people living in the southern hemisphere (let’s say Australia or New Zealand) are none other than European settlers.

In other words, one can say that European settlers, at first, integrated the native American full moon names into their modern Georgian calendar. And, later, many of these full moon names went with them to new places around the world.

 

Full Moon in September 2022 – Worm Moon in Southern Hemisphere

In the southern hemisphere, the full moon in September is known as the Worm Moon. WHY? Because this full moon marks the end of the winter season. Or, one could simply say that the cold weather starts to clear slightly in the earth’s southern areas.

september-full-moon-worm-moon-in-southern-hemisphere
Image Credit: Old Farmer’s Almanac

Just to mention, this month’s full moon will also be the last full moon before the occurrence of the September Equinox. September Equinox i.e the first day of Spring in the southern hemisphere will occur on Friday, September 23 at 12:04 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Other Cultural Full Moon Names for September 2022 in Southern Hemisphere

Well, if you go somewhere away from your native place, you will see that local indigenous people have their own indigenous full moon names. Sadly, that is not the case with the people living in the southern hemisphere.

Not to mention, for several days, I have been trying to get some detail regarding the full moon naming criteria for the Earth’s southern areas. But, I did not find any single piece of work related to that.

However, I did find one resource where it has been mentioned that the native people of the southern hemisphere (Māori People of New Zealand) didn’t assign a name to only the Full Moon phase of each month. Every night of the Moon had a name.

Therefore, as a result of these elaborated naming conditions, many in the Southern Hemisphere rely on the European-inspired Full Moon Names.

Latest Update

Just to let you know, one of my friends Retha Potgieter recently told me about the update on Full moon names in South Africa. Since September 2020, South Africa have their own unique full moon names.

As per the Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH), in South Africa, the full moon in July is known as SPRING MOON. The Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH) is a non-profit company working to protect South Africa’s astronomical heritage.

The Centre’s mission is to record, preserve, and disseminate information about, South Africa’s tangible and intangible astronomical heritage. I would request you to visit this website at least once. They are doing really nice work.

 

When is the Next Full Moon in September 2022?

The next full moon in the northern hemisphere will occur on Saturday, September 10 at 05:59 Eastern Standard Time (EST). It will be known as the Harvest Moon. Okay, for northerners. It will be a Harvest Moon.

But, for the southerner, it will be a Worm Moon. Therefore, for southerners, the next full moon in September 2022 is on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 20:59 at Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

In addition, on this day, the moon will be in Pisces. At last, I wish you good luck with this epic moon gazing. And, do let me know about your amazing experience in the comment section.

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I am a mechanical engineer by profession. Just because of my love for fundamental physics, I switched my career, and therefore I did my postgraduate degree in physics. Right now I am a loner (as ever) and a Physics blogger too. My sole future goal is to do a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, especially in the field of cosmology. Because in my view, every aspect of physics comes within the range of cosmology. And I love traveling, especially the Sole one.

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