On Monday night, we officially have our Harvest Moon for 2025, and it’s also our first of three Supermoons. I’m totally OK calling it a Harvest Moon but I’m far from being in love with the Supermoon moniker. I’ll defend my case on that later.

If it seems that the Harvest Moon is late this year, you’re right. Most folks assume that any full moon anytime in September is the Harvest Moon, but technically, that’s not the case. The semiofficial definition of a Harvest Moon is the full moon that is closest to the date of the autumnal equinox, otherwise known as the first day of astronomical autumn. The fall equinox this year was Sept. 22, 14 days before the full moon this Monday night. The full moon in September was on the 7th, 15 days from the equinox. So just by a nose, our October full moon wins. Honestly, who really cares?

Astronomically, the harvest moon is special because of the unique celestial mechanics of this time of year. The moon migrates eastward among the stars each night because of its 27.3-day orbit around Earth. Because of that, the moon usually rises about 30 to 60 minutes later each night. Around the time of the autumnal equinox, though, the moon rises only about 20 minutes later each night, making it seem that the full moon is lasting longer.

Harvest Moons really don’t look all that different from any other full moon. You may have seen a picture of a big orange harvest moon rising. Full moons the rest of the year appear more or less just as large. No matter what phase the moon is in, it sports that orange-red color when it rises or sets because when it’s close to the horizon, we see it through the thicker and dustier layers of Earth’s atmosphere. That scatters away all but the reddish components of the white light of the moon. When the moon is higher, we do see it through a thinner layer of our atmosphere and the scattering effect goes away. The reason full moons look much larger when they rise or set is simply an optical illusion. Prove that to yourself by holding a nickel out at arm’s length when the full moon is rising and again when it’s at its highest around midnight, and you’ll see that your nickel will cover exactly the same amount of the moon.

Calling the moon on Monday night a supermoon is a bit of a stretch. By definition from an astrologer and not an astronomer, a supermoon is any full moon that’s a little closer to Earth than average. Since the moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle but rather an ellipse or oval, the moon’s distance from Earth can vary in its orbit, but not all that much. I’m not going to get into all the numbers here except to say that when you have a “supermoon,” the moon is only 7% larger and only 14% brighter. It’s not that big of a deal. You can hardly tell the difference.

Call me a curmudgeon but the term “supermoon” is more hype than anything else. Calling it a Harvest Moon is just fine with me.

Comet Swan may make a show!

(Mike Lynch)

C/2025 R2 SWAN is the formal name for a comet that was discovered last month. I’m always leery about talking about comets, especially new ones, because they can be so unpredictable. They may not turn out to be as bright as predicted or the sun could totally break up this dirty cosmic snowball. Assuming that doesn’t happen, look for Comet Swan this week in the very low southwestern sky just above the horizon near the bright star Antares as you can see in the diagram. It’s going to be tough to spot but you may catch it with binoculars and possibly with the naked eye in the countryside. As October continues, it’ll appear a little higher in the sky and may be easier to see. Currently, the comet is approximately 37 million miles away and traveling at a speed of just under 110,000 mph.

Early in the morning, not far from the Big Dipper, another comet is brightening. It’s Comet Lemmon, best seen before morning twilight. It could become visible to the naked eye in mid-October. I’ll have more on that next week in Skywatch.

Mike Lynch is an amateur astronomer and retired broadcast meteorologist for WCCO Radio in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is the author of “Stars: a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations,” published by Adventure Publications and available at bookstores and adventurepublications.net. Mike is available for private star parties. You can contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.

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Kids ‘n Kinship provides friendships and positive role models to children and youth ages 5-16 who are in need of an additional supportive relationship with an adult. Here’s one of the youth waiting for a mentor:

Looking for a mentor: Cody (Kids ‘n Kinship)

First name: Cody

Age: 8

Interests: Cody loves to swim and climb, bike and be on his scooter. He’s got a big imagination and always has a blast making up adventures. He is active, loves museums, parks, and the zoo. He also loves his toys and especially his Lego sets.

Personality/Characteristics: Cody describes himself as a pet lover and funny.  Mom describes Cody as an active kid with big emotions. He loves to climb, swim, play outside, and learn about animals. He is great with helping his mom take care of their dog and new goldfish!

Goals/dreams: He doesn’t know what he will be when he grows up, but it will likely be a job working with animals!  His guardian notes that, “I’m hoping Cody would connect with someone who will help boost his self-confidence and self-identity through fun experiences together. As well as someone he can confide in and learn from.” His 3 wishes would be to: 1) Have Free Roblox Points 2) Have LOTS of money 3) Have his own private island so he can do whatever he wants.

For more information: Cody is waiting for a mentor through Kids n’ Kinship in Dakota County. To learn more about this youth mentoring program and the 39+ youth waiting for a mentor, sign up for an Information Session, visit www.kidsnkinship.org or email programs@kidsnkinship.org. For more information about mentoring in the Twin Cities outside of Dakota County, contact MENTOR MN at mentor@mentormn.org or fill out a brief form at www.mentoring.org/take-action/become-a-mentor/#search.

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Today is Sunday, Oct. 5, the 278th day of 2025. There are 87 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 5, 1989, a jury in Charlotte, North Carolina, convicted evangelist Jim Bakker of using his television show to defraud followers. Initially sentenced to 45 years in prison, Bakker was freed in December 1994 after serving 4 1/2 years.

Also on this date:

In 1892, the Dalton Gang, notorious for its train robberies, was practically wiped out while attempting to rob a pair of banks in Coffeyville, Kansas.

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Today in History: October 4, American Taliban sentenced to 20 years

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman delivered the first televised White House address as he spoke on the world food crisis.

In 1953, Earl Warren was sworn in as the 14th chief justice of the United States, succeeding Fred M. Vinson.

In 1958, racially desegregated Clinton High School in Clinton, Tennessee, was nearly leveled by an early morning bombing.

In 1983, Solidarity founder Lech Walesa (lek vah-WEN’-sah) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Starting in 1980, Walesa spearheaded Poland’s pro-democracy movement that nine years later led to the peaceful end of the country’s communist rule. In 1990-95 he served as democratic Poland’s first popularly elected president.

In 1986, Nicaraguan Sandinista government soldiers shot down a cargo plane carrying weapons and ammunition bound for Contra rebels; the event exposed a web of illegal arms shipments, leading to the Iran-Contra Scandal.

In 2001, tabloid photo editor Robert Stevens died from inhaled anthrax, the first of a series of anthrax cases in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Washington.

In 2011, Steve Jobs, the Apple founder and former chief executive who invented and master-marketed ever-sleeker gadgets that transformed everyday technology, died in Palo Alto, California, at age 56.

In 2018, a jury in Chicago convicted white police officer Jason Van Dyke of second-degree murder in the 2014 shooting of Black teenager Laquan McDonald.

In 2020, President Donald Trump made a dramatic return to the White House after leaving the military hospital where he was being treated for COVID-19.

Today’s Birthdays:

College Football Hall of Fame coach Barry Switzer is 88.
Rock musician Steve Miller is 82.
Rock singer Brian Johnson (AC/DC) is 78.
Actor Karen Allen is 74.
Singer-songwriter Bob Geldof is 74.
Astrophysicist-author Neil deGrasse Tyson is 67.
Architect-designer Maya Lin is 66.
Golf Hall of Famer Laura Davies is 62.
Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux is 60.
Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Roy is 60.
Actor Guy Pearce is 58.
Actor Josie Bissett is 55.
Actor Parminder Nagra (pahr-MIHN’-da NAH’-grah) is 50.
Actor Kate Winslet is 50.
Actor Jesse Eisenberg is 42.
NFL tight end Travis Kelce is 36.
Actor Jacob Tremblay is 19.

Minnesota United got back to winning ways Saturday night in its final home game of the regular season with a 3-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City.

Loons left back Anthony Markanich and midfielder Joaquin Pereyra led the charge in what became a comfortable coast to three points at Allianz Field. Minnesota United met Kansas City, losers of now five straight, at the right moment as they needed to gain momentum and keep pace near the top of the Western Conference.

It was an unusually hot St. Paul night in early October, and a boisterous crowd set the stage for the penultimate game of the Loons’ MLS regular season. Loons on the front foot from the start got a foul by Sporting defensive midfielder Nemanja Radoja, in a threatening area, which allowed the Loons to put service into the box.

Joaquin Pereyra’s initial cross was cleared back out to the right to him, and he took it on himself to put one on net that forced Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp to make an early save.

Once again maneuvering in the midfield, Joaquin Pereyra was fouled by Memo Rodriguez and earned a free kick in a dangerous area. Pereyra swung in a beautiful ball that found Anthony Markanich, whose powerful header bounced off Pulskamp’s gloves, then off the frame of the goal and in to put the Loons up 1-0 in the 25th minute.

A wonderful season for the Loons’ left back as he netted his eighth goal of the season in the MLS. The goal by Markanich saw him tie Michel (FC Dallas, 2014) and Jose Burciaga Jr. (Kansas City Wizards, 2006) for the second-most goals in a single regular season by a defender in MLS history.

Sporting’s leading goal scorer, Dejan Joveljic (18 league goals), showed off his playmaking with a deft flick that pierced Minnesota United’s backline for Mason Toye. In on goal in the 43rd minute, Toye, unable to keep his nerve, smashed it off Loons keeper Dayne St. Clair’s body.

A crucial save which kept Minnesota United ahead 1-0 at the break. The Loons held the majority of the possession (58%) through the first 20 minutes in a tweaked formation (4-2-3-1) from its last time out against Colorado. But fell off the pace after scoring in the 25th minute as Kansas City built momentum before halftime.

The Loons’ second goal came from a poor turnover by Kansas City near midfield in the 59th minute. Leaving Sporting susceptible to a swift counterattack started by Joaquin Pereyra, who then punished Sporting GK John Pulskamp for a weak attempt to push Robin Lod’s shot wide.

With their second goal, Minnesota United reached the 500-goal milestone as a club across all competitions.

On the third goal, Nectarios Triantis attacked down the right, curled in a cross and Markanich met it in the middle of the box with another forceful header past a diving Pulskamp in the 63rd minute.

A strong defensive performance by Minnesota United gave ‘keeper St. Clair his 10th clean sheet of the season in a 3-0 win.

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