Washington, D.C. — A rare celestial event will grace the night sky on Tuesday, September 17, as a lunar eclipse and supermoon align with the annual Harvest Moon. This unique combination promises an exciting show for skywatchers across the globe.
The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 8:41 p.m. EDT, although the full shadow won’t become visible until 10:13 p.m., when the Moon’s upper edge enters Earth’s shadow. According to NASA, the peak of the eclipse will occur at 10:44 p.m., with 8% of the Moon covered. The eclipse will continue until 12:47 a.m. on Wednesday.
This supermoon, the second of four in 2024, will appear bigger and brighter than usual, making it an ideal time to observe. It also marks the Harvest Moon, the full Moon closest to the autumn equinox, traditionally used by farmers to extend harvest days with extra moonlight.
In addition to the scientific interest, this event ties into cultural celebrations like China’s Mid-Autumn Festival and Korea’s Chuseok. The Moon will appear full for several days, allowing ample time for viewers to enjoy this rare cosmic alignment.
