Witness rare partial eclipse of Harvest Moon on September 17
While all full moons are remarkable, the Full Harvest Moon in September stands out. Not only will it be a slightly larger-than-average "supermoon," but it will also undergo a partial lunar eclipse when it rises on the evening of September 17. The term supermoon refers to a full moon that coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its slightly elliptical orbit, making it appear somewhat larger in the sky.
Partial lunar eclipse will be visible globally
The upcoming partial lunar eclipse will be visible in all of South America, most parts of North America, Europe, and all but the easternmost parts of Africa. Western portions of Asia and Russia, as well as certain areas in Antarctica, will also witness this event. Additionally, it'll be observable in some regions of the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean and notably in India where many people will observe Sutak Kaal due to religious significance during this period.
Understanding the science
Lunar eclipses occur when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on our natural satellite. This event happens during the full moon phase when Earth is precisely positioned between the Moon and Sun. As a result, Earth's shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon, dimming it and sometimes turning it into a striking red hue over several hours. Each lunar eclipse is visible from half of Earth.
What to expect during the partial lunar eclipse
During this particular lunar eclipse, only the upper portion of the Moon will be engulfed in Earth's darkest shadow, known as the umbra. Despite being a slight one, it should provide some interesting contrast on craters and other features on the lunar surface to those viewing the event with telescopes or binoculars. Most of the visible lunar disk will be in Earth's penumbra, giving most of the Moon a reddish-brown, slightly smudged appearance.
Timing of the partial lunar eclipse
The timing of the partial lunar eclipse will vary depending on one's location. For observers in the Eastern time zone of the US, the eclipse will enter its darkest phase around 10:44pm EDT on September 17. Europe and Africa will witness this event during pre-dawn hours on September 18. In London, it will appear greatest around 3:45am. BST on September 18 while in India, it is expected to last from 6:12am to 10:17am as per astrologers' predictions.
