Combination of these 3 events make September’s full moon rare & very special on MS Coast

Sure, a full moon comes around every month, but this September’s moon is rather special. Not only is it a full moon, but it’s also a supermoon, the Harvest Moon, and a partial eclipse . This month’s full moon will happen on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and be at its fullest at 10:34 p.m.

Why is it called a Harvest Moon?

Since this particular moon in September is the closest to the autumnal equinox , it is closely associated with the fall harvest. It rises shortly after sunset for several evenings in a row and this extra daylight was beneficial for farmers before the advent of tractors with headlights.

Every full moon has a name associated with the time of the year , and most of the American nomenclature comes from Native people, specifically the Algonquin and Iroquois tribes. Some cultures often use the Harvest Moon as a point of ritual.

• Expressing gratitude for the harvest

• Celebrating abundance

• Recognizing the changing season

What makes it a supermoon?

A supermoon is when the full moon occurs at the moon’s perigee , which is when it is the closest to the Earth. This can mean different things at different times during the year, but generally, it is when the center of the moon is less than 224,000 miles from the center of the Earth.

The opposite of a supermoon is a micromoon, which is when the center of the moon is the farthest away from the center of the Earth. The next time this occurs will be Oct. 2, 2024.

It is also a partial eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only part of the moon enters Earth’s umbra (the darkest part of Earth’s shadow). During a partial lunar eclipse, only a portion of the moon’s surface is covered by Earth’s umbral shadow. It looks like a “bite” has been taken out of the moon.

Alone, a partial eclipse is not all that uncommon, but the combination of all three of these events make it particularly rare and noteworthy for a few reasons.

• Enhanced visibility: As a supermoon, it will appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.

• Celestial spectacle: It will add an extra visual element to the already impressive supermoon.

• Timing: Because it coincides with the Harvest Moon, it has some historical importance in many societies.

• Rarity: The combination of a supermoon with a partial eclipse is not common.

• Wide visibility: The event will be visible from much of a good bit of the world, so it could be a connecting experience.

If you happen to snap any pictures of this Harvest Moon on Sept. 17, send us an email at mynews@sunherald.com or find me on Instagram.

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