Stargazers are in for a treat as the Harvest Moon in 2024 will have three special features. The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest in date to the autumn equinox, making it a stunning sight as long as the clouds don’t obstruct the view. This year, in addition to being a traditional Harvest Moon, it will also be a supermoon and undergo a partial lunar eclipse, making it a rare occurrence.
The Harvest Moon, named for its proximity to harvesting season, provides several days of consistent light that historically aided in crop collection. Despite common belief that the moon appears larger during this time, it is actually an optical illusion that makes it seem bigger when it is lower near the horizon. The Harvest Moon is expected to rise at 7:28 pm on Wednesday, September 18, with the sun setting almost due west and the full moon rising near due east.
This upcoming Harvest Moon will be the second supermoon of 2024, following the previous one in August. Supermoons happen when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear brighter in the night sky. The partial lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur in the early hours of September 18, where a portion of the Moon’s surface will be covered by Earth’s shadow. In the UK, the best time to witness the lunar eclipse will be between 1:41 am and 5:47 am.
The BBC’s Sky At Night notes that supermoons provide a great naked-eye spectacle for aspiring astronomers and newcomers, as the Moon appears exceptionally bright on these dates. With the rare combination of a Harvest Moon, supermoon, and partial lunar eclipse, sky enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this celestial event. If the skies are clear, this natural phenomenon promises a dazzling display of lights in the night sky.