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On the evenings around its full phase, the moon normally rises about 50 minutes later than the previous night. Because this is the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox in 2022, it is also the Harvest Moon. Full moons always rise around sunset and set around sunrise. The indigenous Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes region call this moon Waatebagaa-giizis or Waabaagbagaa-giizis, the Leaves Turning or Leaves Falling Moon. The September full moon, traditionally known as the “Corn Moon” and “Barley Moon”, always shines in or near the stars of Aquarius and Pisces. Monday, September 5 - Venus Veers past Regulus (before sunrise) On the opposite side of the mare is the distinctive, round Sinus Iridum, the Bay of Rainbows. The Montes Carpatus ring the south, near crater Copernicus. They sink out of sight near the prominent crater Eratosthenes. The southeastern edge of Mare Imbrium is bordered by the lengthy Apennine Mountains, or Montes Apenninus. That mountain range disappears under a lava-flooded zone connecting Mare Imbrium with Mare Serenitatis to the southeast. To the lower right (lunar southeast) of the Alps are the Caucasus Mountains, or Montes Caucasus. Binoculars or a telescope will reveal a slash cutting through them called the Alpine Valley, or Vallis Alpes, where the moon’s crust has dropped between parallel faults. The most northerly arc of mountains is the Lunar Alps, or Montes Alpes. Sunday, September 4 will offer a fine opportunity to view the spectacular, mountain chains, actually segments of the old basin’s rim, that encircle the rim of Mare Imbrium. (Image credit: Starry Night Software) (opens in new tab)
