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 even 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 elements of Africa, western parts of Asia and Russia, and elements 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 method 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 yr, 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 varieties 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 fascinating distinction on craters and different options on the lunar floor to these with telescopes or binoculars.
Other than the small darkened portion on the high 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 mild. It will give a lot of the moon a reddish-brown, barely “smudged” look.
The timing of the partial lunar eclipse depends 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 biggest round 3:45 a.m. BST on Sept. 18.
For a full listing of partial lunar eclipse milestones on your viewing space, head to InTheSky.org and enter your location.
It doesn’t matter what night time it’s, the moon by no means disappoints by means of optics of any measurement. If you wish to get a better have a look at the moon’s many options throughout lunar eclipses or at another time, make sure to try our guides to the finest telescopes and finest binoculars.
And if you wish to seize pictures of our pure satellite tv for pc, we’ve suggestions for easy methods to {photograph} the moon, in addition to guides to the finest cameras for astrophotography and finest lenses for astrophotography.
Do not miss our night time sky tonight web page and month-to-month skywatching calendar for extra celestial occasions to absorb!
Editor’s be aware: For those who get an awesome image of the moon throughout September’s partial lunar eclipse, and want to share it with House.com’s readers, ship your photograph(s), feedback, and your title and site to spacephotos@area.com.
