September’s Full Harvest Moon: Date, time, significance, and where to watch the rare supermoon and lunar eclipse

Skywatchers are in for a treat later this month with a rare combination of a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse occurring on the same evening.

Known as the Full Harvest Moon, this celestial event will take place on the evening of September 17, featuring both a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse—a remarkable sight for stargazers.

The supermoon, which occurs when the moon appears slightly larger due to its closer proximity to Earth, will coincide with a partial eclipse visible across North America, South America, Europe, western Asia, Russia, and parts of Antarctica.


This Full Harvest Moon will combine the characteristics of a supermoon with the spectacle of a partial lunar eclipse. A supermoon happens when the moon is at or near perigee, its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. While the increase in size may be subtle, the visual effect often makes the moon appear larger and more striking.

The partial lunar eclipse will occur as Earth moves between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow across the lunar surface. Only the upper portion of the moon will pass through Earth’s darkest shadow, known as the umbra, creating a noticeable contrast. This can be viewed with the help of telescopes or binoculars, making the experience even more engaging for astronomy enthusiasts.

For those in the Eastern time zone of the United States, the peak of the eclipse will occur around 10:44 PM EDT on September 17. In Europe and Africa, the best viewing will take place in the pre-dawn hours of September 18, with the peak in London happening around 3:45 AM BST.

Although only the upper part of the moon will enter Earth's umbra, the eclipse will still provide a striking contrast on the lunar surface, best viewed through binoculars or telescopes.

Skywatchers can look forward to a memorable night, as the rare phenomena of a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse come together for a stunning celestial display.