WASHINGTON, DC: Skywatchers in the United States will have a unique celestial event to witness on Tuesday evening as a partial lunar eclipse and a super full Moon light up the night sky. This phenomenon will showcase the Moon appearing brighter and larger as it approaches its perigee, the closest point to Earth. The Moon is expected to be more than 222,000 miles away from our planet during its closest approach in October.
As Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, a temporary shadow will be cast on the Moon during the eclipse. However, the event is not anticipated to be as awe-inspiring as the total solar eclipse witnessed by millions earlier in the year. The shadow is predicted to start appearing around 8:41 p.m. EDT, reaching its peak at 10:44 p.m. EDT, before concluding before 1 a.m. on September 18, with only eight percent of the Moon fully shadowed at its peak.
This full Moon, also known as the Harvest Moon, holds significance as it coincides with the autumnal equinox. Farmers traditionally view it as the time to harvest crops, with Native Americans referring to it as the Corn Moon. As the gravitational pull from the Moon increases, coastal communities may experience higher water levels, known as King Tides, bringing heightened risks of flooding.
In the coming months, additional supermoons and high tides are expected during October’s Hunter’s Moon and November’s Beaver Moon. The next lunar eclipse is unlikely to occur until March 2025 when the entire Moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow.
Overall, the upcoming celestial event promises a captivating display for skywatchers across the U.S., marking a unique convergence of celestial bodies in the night sky. Make sure to look up on Tuesday evening to catch a glimpse of this mesmerizing lunar eclipse and super full Moon.