Are you planning to catch a glimpse of tonight's gorgeous harvest moon? If not, you should be! 2017's harvest moon will rise just after the sun sets (about 7pm ET), and it'll appear to be red or orange—not unlike your future Halloween Jack O'Lantern.
So why does this particular moon, which is closest to the fall equinox, appear to have color? It's actually the result of us viewing the moon through more of the Earth's atmosphere. Earthsky.com reports, "The greater thickness of atmosphere in the direction of a horizon scatters blue light most effectively, but it lets red light pass through to your eyes. So a moon near the horizon takes on a yellow or orange or reddish hue."
Also, why does this moon appear to be larger than normal? We'll let the folks at National Geographic explain that in greater detail, but to sum things up: it's an optical illusion.
Want to get in on more great views of the night sky? Check out our list of stargazing events in NYC, where you'll find some great family-friendly fun. For more autumnal activities, check out our guide to Halloween for kids and our favorite fall activities for kids.
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