September 17, 2024 — Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat on the evening of September 17, as this month’s full moon will not only appear larger than usual but will also host a partial lunar eclipse. The dual spectacle promises to captivate stargazers around the world.
The full moon, known for its striking “supermoon” appearance, will also undergo a partial lunar eclipse, casting a murky red-brown hue across the lunar surface as Earth’s shadow moves across the moon. This partial eclipse will be visible across most of North America, all of South America, Europe, much of Africa (excluding the far eastern regions), western Asia, parts of Russia, and even some areas of Antarctica.
For those in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone, the eclipse will reach its peak at approximately 10:44 p.m. EDT on September 17. Observers in Europe and Africa will witness the event in the early hours of September 18, with London experiencing the height of the eclipse around 3:45 a.m. BST.
During the partial lunar eclipse, only a portion of the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, creating a distinct “bite” out of the lunar surface. This shadow effect will darken the side of the moon facing Earth. About 3.5% of the moon’s surface will be covered by the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. The remainder of the moon will take on a reddish-brown tint due to the lighter part of the shadow, which allows some sunlight to filter through.
Sky enthusiasts are encouraged to check local timings for the best viewing experience, with resources like Timeanddate.com providing precise eclipse timings based on geographic location.
What Time Is the Eclipse?
| Starts | 8:41 pm EDT |
|---|---|
| Partial Starts | 10:12 pm EDT |
| Maximum | 10:44 pm EDT |
| Partial Ends | 11:15 pm EDT |
| Ends | 12:47 am EDT |
