(Cupventi.com) – Moon lovers are in for a treat this week with a celestial event that combines a full moon and a partial lunar eclipse. The event, visible in North America, South America, Africa, and Europe, will showcase part of the moon’s surface being obscured by Earth’s shadow.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, causing Earth’s shadow to block sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. This Tuesday’s event will feature September’s full moon, traditionally called the “harvest moon” in the Northern Hemisphere due to its association with the harvest season, according to NASA. Adding to the spectacle, the moon will be a supermoon—meaning it will be at its closest point to Earth during its elliptical orbit, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
The partial lunar eclipse is expected to start on Tuesday evening at 8:41 p.m. ET, with the moon beginning to enter Earth’s shadow. However, NASA notes that the dimming effect might be subtle at first, with visibility improving as the moon’s top edge becomes obscured around 10:13 p.m. ET. The peak of the eclipse will happen at 10:44 p.m. ET when approximately 8% of the moon’s surface will be fully in shadow. This will occur just after the full moon reaches its zenith at 10:35 p.m. ET.
After reaching its peak, the moon will gradually move out of Earth’s shadow, with the partial eclipse concluding early Wednesday morning around 12:47 a.m. ET. Unlike solar eclipses, viewers can safely watch this lunar event with the naked eye without the need for protective gear.