Today:
The Moon rises about a half hour before sunset this evening, one day before it becomes exactly Full, the “Harvest Moon” as it’s known. This is the first of three days in which the Moon appears full, and remains in the sky all night long. The Full Moon appears opposite from the Sun, as was Saturn last week. That’s why you’ll see Saturn just to the Moon’s left as the evening progresses.
Tuesday:
The Moon is Full each month as it reaches a position exactly opposite the Sun, so tonight’s Full “Harvest” Moon rises as the Sun sets, and then sets as the Sun rises tomorrow morning. The Moon’s light extended the hours of harvesting, often through the night when necessary, hence its name. This timing can vary due to the Moon’s tilted orbit, about 5 degrees compared to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
Wednesday:
It’s a challenge, but if you have an unobscured and flat horizon at sunset – between about 8:15 and 8:30 – you might be able to spot the planet Venus, just south of due west, and within the constellation Virgo. Venus will dip below the horizon by around 8:45.