Skywatchers worldwide were treated to a stunning sight on Tuesday night as September’s full harvest moon illuminated the sky alongside a partial lunar eclipse.
The full moon reached its peak brightness at 10:35 p.m. ET but will continue to appear full until Thursday morning, according to NASA.
For about an hour on Tuesday evening, the moon seemed as though a small portion had been “bitten off,” thanks to a partial lunar eclipse. This phenomenon occurs when Earth partially obstructs the sun’s light from reaching the moon, though not in perfect alignment. The eclipse was visible across parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
The partial eclipse began at 10:13 p.m. ET and ended at 11:16 p.m. ET, with the peak occurring at 10:44 p.m. ET, according to NASA.
During total lunar eclipses, Earth’s shadow can give the moon a reddish hue, often called a “blood moon,” but that wasn’t the case this time. “Tuesday’s event wasn’t a total eclipse, so the moon didn’t turn red,” said Noah Petro, a NASA project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Artemis III. Instead, a portion of the moon was briefly darkened, he explained, encouraging stargazers to catch a glimpse if the sky was clear.
This full moon also marks the second of four consecutive supermoons in 2024, with a supermoon occurring when the moon is closer to Earth than usual, making it appear larger and brighter in the night sky. In September, the moon was approximately 222,637 miles (358,300 kilometers) from Earth, compared to the average distance of 238,900 miles (384,472 kilometers).
Additionally, Saturn appeared near the moon as a bright dot, offering an extra celestial treat for observers.
The Harvest Moon
The name “harvest moon” stems from its proximity to the autumnal equinox on September 22, marking the start of fall. Traditionally, the harvest moon aided farmers in gathering crops late into the evening before the first frost. While many associate the harvest moon with an orange glow, this hue can occur with any full moon rising near the horizon due to the thickness of Earth’s atmosphere.
Indigenous tribes and cultures have their own names for this moon, such as the Hopi’s “moon of full harvest” or the Lakota’s “moon of the brown leaves.” In Europe, it’s referred to as the “fruit moon” or “barley moon,” signaling the harvest season for these crops.
This time of year also coincides with festivals such as Chuseok in Korea and the Chinese Mooncake Festival, both celebrating family, harvest, and the remembrance of ancestors.
What’s Next in the Sky?
The next full moon, known as the hunter’s moon, will occur on October 17 and will be the closest supermoon of 2024, at a distance of 222,095 miles (357,428 kilometers). After that, the beaver moon will rise on November 15, followed by the cold moon on December 15.
In addition to full moons, meteor shower enthusiasts can look forward to several showers before the end of the year, including the Draconids (October 7-8), Orionids (October 20-21), and the Geminids (December 13-14), among others.
