Prepare for a striking double feature in the night sky. The first full moon of autumn will shine at its peak this weekend, while observers may also be able to catch a glimpse of Saturn nearby.

The moon reaches maximum brightness at 12:49 p.m. ET on Saturday, though the most appealing view will come shortly after sunset that evening. Saturn, recognizable by its warm golden appearance, will sit near the full moon from Friday through Monday.

Saturn will arrive at opposition on October 4, meaning it will be positioned directly opposite the sun as seen from Earth. This alignment offers one of the best opportunities to observe the ringed planet because it is near its closest point to Earth, making it look brighter and somewhat larger.

Neptune may also appear to be close to the moon, but the distant blue world is far too dim for most people to see without binoculars or a telescope. Clear, very dark skies are needed for the best chance of spotting it.

Those dealing with cloudy weather can still look up on Friday or Sunday night, when the moon will appear almost completely full.

The story behind the harvest moon

September’s full moon is commonly called the corn moon, a name connected to the period when farmers have traditionally gathered corn crops. Different Indigenous communities have their own names for this lunar event, including the Abenaki term “corn maker moon” and the Assiniboine name “yellow leaf moon.”

This year, however, September’s full moon is more widely known as the harvest moon because it occurs close to the autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

The harvest moon received its familiar name because its bright evening light once helped farmers continue working in their fields after sunset. The title is also used by many Indigenous peoples for the September full moon.

People often connect the harvest moon with a rich orange or amber color that suits the fall season.

In reality, any full moon can take on that warm tint when it is low near the horizon. At that angle, moonlight passes through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere before reaching viewers on the ground.

Upcoming full moons

Three more full moons are scheduled to appear in 2026.

November and December will bring supermoons, when a full moon looks especially large and bright because it occurs close to the moon’s nearest point to Earth in its orbit.

Here are the remaining full moons of the year:

• October 26: Hunter’s moon

• November 24: Beaver moon

• December 23: Cold moon