Autumn is well and truly upon us and News Shopper have unearthed some interesting facts that you probably didn't know about the season of harvest, Halloween and fireworks...

  1. A 'Harvest Moon' is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. Before artificial lighting, such moonlight was essential to a farmer’s successful harvest - the term 'equinox' is from the Latin meaning 'equal night'. News Shopper:

  2. According to folklore autumn babies, or those born between September and November, are more likely to live to 100 than those who were born in other times of the year. News Shopper: Petts Wood resident, Winnie Shucker turned 100 on October 11Petts Wood resident, Winnie Shucker turned 100 on October 11

​News Shopper reader, Winnie Shucker turned 100 on October 11.

​3. According to scientists levels of testosterone in both men and women are at their highest during autumn. Scientists speculate the surge may be a result of ancient mating instincts.

4. Researchers found that during the cooler months of autumn, men are more likely to cozy up with their sweethearts and watch romantic comedies. 

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5. The traditional Halloween colours of orange and black come from two different sources. First, orange is the colour of autumn leaves and pumpkins, which have come to symbolize Halloween. Black is the colour of darkness and mystery, which matches the theme of ghosts and other spooky creatures at Halloween.

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6. Halloween was originally a pagan holiday to honor the dead, and the holiday was known as All Hallows Eve. The date, October 31, is the last day of the Celtic calendar.

7. Political protesters sometimes wear Guy Fawkes masks to protect their identity. You might recognize these masks if you’ve seen the film V for Vendetta, which is very loosely based on the story of Guy Fawkes.

8. Fireworks were invented when a Chinese cook accidentally discovered how to make explosive black powder - the early origin of gunpowder - during the 10th century. The cook accidentally mixed three common kitchen ingredients - potassium nitrate or saltpetre (a salt substitute used in the curing of meat), sulphur and charcoal and set light to the concoction. The result was colourful flames. The cook also noticed that if the mixture was burned when enclosed in the hollow of a bamboo shoot, there was a tremendous explosion.

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9. Autumn begins when the center of the sun crosses Earth’s equator. As Earth continues its path around the sun, days become shorter and nights become longer, with the change most noticeable for those at higher latitudes.

10. Most meteorologists define autumn as lasting through September, October, and November in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, autumn lasts through March, April, and May.