Sun Sep 15 15:40:20 UTC 2024: ## Supermoon Meets Lunar Eclipse: A Spectacular Night Sky Event Awaits

Get ready for a celestial double feature this Tuesday, September 12th, as the Harvest Moon, a supermoon coinciding with the year’s last partial lunar eclipse, graces the night sky.

The Harvest Moon, known for its bright glow that traditionally aided farmers in their late-season harvest, will appear larger and brighter than usual due to its supermoon status. This occurs when a full moon aligns with its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit.

While the moon officially reaches peak fullness on September 17th, it will appear full for three days, starting from Monday evening. The best time to view this celestial spectacle is right around moonrise, when the moon appears larger and takes on a mesmerizing yellow-orange hue.

Adding to the spectacle, a partial lunar eclipse will occur simultaneously, starting at 8:41 p.m. ET. During the eclipse’s peak at 10:44 p.m. ET, a small sliver of the moon will appear shadowed, with about 8.4% of its surface immersed in Earth’s shadow. Though the eclipse won’t significantly impact visibility, it will create a unique, partially dimmed effect.

This year’s Harvest Moon is the second in a series of four consecutive supermoons. While supermoons can vary in their apparent size and brightness, this one is expected to be slightly smaller than the November 2016 supermoon, which was the closest in this century. The next two full moons, in October and November, will also be supermoons, with October’s Hunter’s Moon set to be the largest of the year.

To witness the Harvest Moon’s brilliance and the lunar eclipse, look to the east horizon around 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday. For precise moonrise times in your location, consult TimeandDate.com. While everyone can enjoy the supermoon, only those in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa will be able to witness the lunar eclipse.

So, mark your calendars, grab your binoculars or telescopes, and prepare for a captivating display of celestial wonder.

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