The Full Harvest Moon of September 2024 can be a particular one.
All full moons are spectacular sights on their very own, however this month’s Full Harvest Moon can be particularly noteworthy. Along with being a barely larger-than-average “supermoon,” September’s full moon may also expertise a partial lunar eclipse when it rises on the night of Sept. 17.
The partial lunar eclipse can be seen from most of North America, all of South America, Europe, all however the easternmost components of Africa, western parts of Asia and Russia, and components of Antarctica.
“Supermoon” is a non-astronomical time period that describes a full moon that happens when the moon is at or near perigee, the closest strategy to Earth in its barely elliptical orbit. Throughout these occasions, the moon can seem a bit bigger within the sky, though the distinction might be tough to note with the bare eye for many observers.
September’s Full Harvest moon is the second of 4 consecutive supermoons this 12 months, following August’s Supermoon Blue Moon.
Lunar eclipses happen when Earth passes in between the solar and the moon, casting its shadow on our pure satellite tv for pc.
These eclipses additionally supply a helpful seen reminder of Earth’s spherical form to these of us on the bottom, because the umbra types a curve on the seen disk of the moon.
This lunar eclipse is sadly a slight one; solely the higher portion of the moon can be plunged into the darkest a part of Earth’s shadow, generally known as the umbra. Nonetheless, the partial lunar eclipse ought to present some attention-grabbing distinction on craters and different options on the lunar floor to these with telescopes or binoculars.
Other than the small darkened portion on the prime of the moon’s disk, a lot of the seen lunar disk can be in Earth’s penumbra, the lighter portion of the planet’s shadow that doesn’t fully block the solar’s gentle. This may give a lot of the moon a reddish-brown, barely “smudged” look.
The timing of the partial lunar eclipse is dependent upon one’s location. For observers within the Japanese time zone of the U.S., the eclipse will enter its darkest section when the moon is most lined by Earth’s umbra round 10:44 p.m. EDT on Sept. 17.
Europe and Africa will see the eclipse throughout the pre-dawn hours on Sept. 18. For London, the eclipse will seem best round 3:45 a.m. BST on Sept. 18.
For a full record of partial lunar eclipse milestones in your viewing space, head to InTheSky.org and enter your location.
It doesn’t matter what evening it’s, the moon by no means disappoints by means of optics of any dimension. If you wish to get a more in-depth take a look at the moon’s many options throughout lunar eclipses or at some other time, make sure to check out our guides to the finest telescopes and finest binoculars.
And if you wish to seize pictures of our pure satellite tv for pc, now we have suggestions for learn how to {photograph} the moon, in addition to guides to the finest cameras for astrophotography and finest lenses for astrophotography.
Do not miss our evening sky tonight web page and month-to-month skywatching calendar for extra celestial occasions to absorb!
Editor’s word: In the event you get an important image of the moon throughout September’s partial lunar eclipse, and wish to share it with Area.com’s readers, ship your photograph(s), feedback, and your title and placement to spacephotos@area.com.
