Moon lovers around the world will have a reason to celebrate this week as a full moon on Tuesday will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse. People in North America, South America, Africa, and Europe will have the chance to see part of the moon’s surface obscured by Earth’s shadow. This event will feature September’s full moon, known as the harvest moon, associated with harvest time in the Northern Hemisphere.
Additionally, this full moon will also be a supermoon, as it will be at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. A supermoon appears slightly bigger and brighter than an average full moon. The partial lunar eclipse will begin Tuesday evening at 8:41 p.m. ET, with the eclipse peaking at 10:44 p.m. ET when about 8% of the moon’s surface will be in full shadow.
Even though the dimming effect may be tricky to see until later in the evening, the eclipse will be visible with clear conditions. The moon will start exiting Earth’s shadow around 12:47 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Unlike solar eclipses, there is no need for protective eyewear when viewing a lunar eclipse, as it can be safely observed with the naked eye.
Overall, this celestial event is a rare opportunity for moon lovers to witness the beauty of a partial lunar eclipse coinciding with a full moon and supermoon, providing a unique and memorable viewing experience for those in the designated regions.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com