On Tuesday, September 17th, Canada will experience its third eclipse of 2024, coinciding with the full moon. This celestial event, often referred to as the Harvest Moon in many cultures, holds a few special distinctions: it’s the fourth full moon of summer, a supermoon, and the stage for both a penumbral and partial lunar eclipse. However, stargazers might find the eclipses a bit challenging to spot.
The partial lunar eclipse, with its emphasis on “partial,” occurs as the moon enters the Earth’s main shadow, known as the umbra. The remaining portion of the moon will be bathed in a fainter shadow called the penumbra, cast by the Earth. Penumbral eclipses can be tricky to observe due to their subtle nature. Think back to March when a full penumbral eclipse preceded the highly anticipated solar eclipse on April 8th. Lunar and solar eclipses often occur in pairs, sometimes even threes. So, this Tuesday night, a small portion of the moon might be obscured by the Earth’s umbra, while the rest remains within the penumbra. As explained by astronomer Dr. Lawler, the light from the sun filtering through the Earth’s atmosphere might give the moon a slightly unusual appearance. Penumbral eclipses are quite variable, depending on Earth’s weather patterns and atmospheric conditions. The moon might appear a bit discolored or you might not even notice the eclipse at all. Dr. Lawler advises, “This isn’t a spectacular event, but it will be noticeable if you have binoculars and are paying close attention.”
Timing of the Sept. 17 eclipse
[Source for eclipse timing]
The second supermoon in a row, this event could prove to be a bit more spectacular. September’s supermoon is the second closest to Earth this year, with October’s being the closest. Here are the distances of the four supermoons in a row, based on information from reliable sources. Keep in mind the moon’s average distance is 384,400 kilometers:
* August 19: 361,969 km
* September 18: 357,485 km
* October 17: 357,363 km
* November 15: 361,866 km
The moon’s orbit around Earth is elliptical, not circular, meaning its distance from us varies. When a full moon occurs when it’s farther away than average, it’s called a micro moon.
Once in a Blue Moon
This September full moon, also known as the Harvest Moon, is a bit unusual. Being the fourth full moon of the season (summer!), it’s technically a blue moon. However, the designation typically applies to the third full moon in a series, making last month’s August supermoon the true blue moon. To make things even more confusing, tradition also assigns the blue moon label to a month with two full moons.
So, get ready to witness a cosmic spectacle this Tuesday night! While the eclipse might be subtle, the supermoon will undoubtedly shine bright, providing a beautiful reminder of the wonders of our celestial neighborhood.
