Moon watchers will get a couple of special treats this month: The full “harvest” moon is also a supermoon. Plus there’s also a partial lunar eclipse.
Get ready for a special night in September! This year, the full “harvest” moon is not only a harvest moon but also a supermoon, making it appear slightly bigger and brighter than usual.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday night, September 17, 2024. The full moon will be at its peak at 10:35 p.m. EDT. It will look full from Monday evening right through to Thursday morning, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the view.
But that’s not all – there will also be a partial lunar eclipse on the same night, adding even more excitement to your skywatching experience.
Why is it called the ‘Harvest Moon’?
The term “harvest moon” refers to the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which this year falls on September 22. Historically, many crops ripen in late summer and early autumn, making it a busy time for farmers. They often relied on moonlight to extend their working hours into the night, coining the term “harvest moon.” According to NASA, the Oxford English Dictionary first published this term in 1706.
What’s a Supermoon?
When the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual, it’s called a supermoon. This means the moon can appear slightly bigger and brighter than a regular full moon.
As NASA explains, different publications use different criteria to define a supermoon. Because the moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, its distance from Earth varies. On average, supermoons appear about 7% bigger and 15% brighter than a typical full moon.
This September’s supermoon is the second in a series of four consecutive supermoons: after September 17, the next supermoons will occur on October 17 and November 15.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth’s shadow falls on the moon, either dimming it or giving it a striking red hue. The partial lunar eclipse on September 17 will occur due to an imperfect alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. As a result, only part of the moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow.
The peak moment of the eclipse will be at 10:44 p.m. ET on Tuesday, when the top 8 percent of the moon will be in full shadow.
If you’re a skywatching enthusiast, note that the next total lunar eclipse visible from the Americas will be on March 14, 2025.
