The Moon reaches its full phase Saturday, Sept. 26, at 11:49 a.m. CDT, but Nebraska viewers will have to wait until evening to see it rise. Moonrise is around 7:03 p.m. in Omaha and 7:06 p.m. in Lincoln.
By Hola Nebraska
OMAHA, Nebraska — The 2026 Harvest Moon arrives Saturday, Sept. 26, with an important difference between the exact time of the full Moon and the best time to see it from Nebraska.
The Moon reaches its full phase at 11:49 a.m. Central Daylight Time. At that time, it will be below the horizon in Omaha and Lincoln.
The better viewing opportunity comes around sunset. The Moon will rise at approximately 7:03 p.m. in Omaha and 7:06 p.m. in Lincoln.
The Moon rises at 7:03 p.m. in Omaha and 7:06 p.m. in Lincoln
In Omaha, the Moon will begin rising over the eastern horizon at about 7:03 p.m. Saturday. Sunset follows about 10 minutes later, around 7:13 p.m.
In Lincoln, moonrise is expected at approximately 7:06 p.m., with sunset around 7:16 p.m.
- Omaha: Moonrise at 7:03 p.m.; sunset at 7:13 p.m.
- Lincoln: Moonrise at 7:06 p.m.; sunset at 7:16 p.m.
- Full Moon: 11:49 a.m. CDT Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Moon will rise in the east as the Sun sets on the opposite side of the sky. Locations with a clear eastern horizon will offer the earliest view as it begins to climb.
The Moon reaches its full phase during the day at 11:49 a.m.
The exact time of the full Moon marks the astronomical moment when the Moon and Sun are positioned on opposite sides of Earth.
The U.S. Naval Observatory places the full Moon at 16:49 UTC on Sept. 26, which is 11:49 a.m. CDT in Omaha and Lincoln.
That does not mean the Moon will be visible in Nebraska at 11:49 a.m. It will remain below the horizon until it rises shortly after 7 p.m.
The Sept. 26 full Moon is the 2026 Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon is the traditional name given to the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.
The September equinox occurred Tuesday night, Sept. 22. The Sept. 26 full Moon is the closest full Moon to that seasonal change, making it the 2026 Harvest Moon.
The name does not describe a different lunar phase. Astronomically, it is still a full Moon.
Saturn will appear near the Harvest Moon Saturday night
The Moon will not be the only bright object in that part of the sky. NASA’s September skywatching guide places Saturn near the Moon on the night of Sept. 26.
Saturn can be seen without a telescope as a bright point near the Moon. Neptune will also be in the same general area of the sky, although it is too faint to see with the unaided eye.
The Harvest Moon may look larger or more orange near the horizon
The Moon can appear especially large when it is close to the horizon. The effect is an optical illusion and does not mean the Moon has physically increased in size.
It can also appear yellow, orange or reddish while low in the sky because its light travels through more of Earth’s atmosphere before reaching an observer.
No telescope, binoculars or protective eyewear are needed to view the full Moon. Trees, buildings and other obstructions along the eastern horizon may delay when it becomes visible from a specific location.
Cloud cover will determine how well Nebraska can see the Harvest Moon
The astronomical times will not change with the weather, but clouds could limit or block the view.
The Moon will continue climbing higher in the sky after it rises shortly after 7 p.m., so clouds around sunset would not necessarily prevent viewing later in the evening.
Hola Nebraska will update the forecast before Saturday.
Related: Nebraska skywatchers also had a major lunar event in August, when a deep partial lunar eclipse was visible from Omaha with 96.3% of the Moon entering Earth’s dark central shadow.
The Harvest Moon will rise at approximately 7:03 p.m. in Omaha and 7:06 p.m. in Lincoln on Saturday, Sept. 26.
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