Categories: Lifestyle

The next full moon is a supermoon with an accompanying partial lunar eclipse across Canada

Image via Sumruay Rattanataipob/Shutterstock

There’s a pretty sweet celestial event coming up in the next couple of days you won’t want to miss out on. Spectators will be able to see a “supermoon” and a small fraction of the moon entering the Earth’s dark umbral shadow creating a partial lunar eclipse – here’s what to know before you check it out in Canada.

What is it?

The partial lunar eclipse is a part of the next full moon, which is considered a “supermoon”.

“The term “supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 as either a new or full Moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest to Earth,” says NASA.

When

The full moon will be Tuesday night, September 17th, 2024, at 10:35 PM EDT. This will be visible to everyone in the country.

The moon will appear “full for about three days, from Monday evening through Thursday morning.”

NASA breaks down the timeline in more detail for those who want to catch the partial lunar eclipse on Tuesday night.

“The Moon will start entering the Earth’s partial shadow at 8:41 PM EDT. The slight dimming of the Moon will be difficult to notice until the top edge of the Moon starts entering the full shadow at 10:13 PM.”

“The peak of the eclipse will be at 10:44 PM with only the top 8 percent of the Moon in full shadow. The Moon will finish exiting the full shadow at 11:16 PM and the partial shadow on Wednesday morning at 12:47 AM,” shares NASA.

If you miss the supermoon / partial lunar eclipse don’t worry! Next year, the moon will glow a shade of red during a total eclipse.

The total eclipse will take around six hours so there’s plenty of time to catch it.

Best viewing

If you’re viewing anything night sky related you’re going to want to be in a dark sky preserve or a space that’s far away from the light pollution of a big city.

Happy viewing of the partial lunar eclipse/supermoon, Canada!