Supermoon partial lunar eclipse tonight

AUSTIN (KXAN) — September’s Harvest Moon will be extra special on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 17. A partial lunar eclipse will be visible just after sunset. It will be the last lunar eclipse of the year.

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on our rocky satellite.

Unlike the total solar eclipse this past April, this eclipse will be partial. Only part of the Earth’s shadow will move across the moon.

Unlike a solar eclipse, where the sun is completely blocked, we can actually still see the moon. Instead of its usual white glow, the moon glows red instead.

On this Harvest Moon

Full moons get special names depending on when they fall in the year. September’s Harvest Moon is named not for the month, but due to its proximity to the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22.

The Harvest Moon comes just after sunset, providing extra light and aid to farmers, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The Harvest Moon rises around the same time each night, unlike other moonrises throughout the year.

September’s supermoon

This partial lunar eclipse is extra special because it is occurring as a supermoon. A supermoon is what the moon is called when it becomes a full moon at the closest point in its orbit to Earth.

During a supermoon, the moon appears 14% larger than a typical full moon. A supermoon is also about 30% brighter than it is at its furthest point in its orbit from Earth.

Tides on Earth are also somewhat stronger than they are typically. This force is somewhat weak and changes the tides by just a few inches.

Viewing the lunar eclipse

Unlike a total solar eclipse, you don’t need special equipment to safely view a lunar eclipse. All you need to do is look up at the moon.

It will begin at 7:41 p.m. and reach its maximum coverage at 9:44 p.m., ending at 11:47 p.m.

The last lunar eclipse was on March 25, 2024. The next time a lunar eclipse will be visible is March 13, 2025. That lunar eclipse will be a total eclipse, meaning the Earth will cast a shadow over the moon that will completely blot it out.

2025 will have a second total eclipse on Sept. 7. That eclipse will not be visible from North America.

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