Top astronomy events for September 2024
From a close encounter with Saturn to the changing of the seasons, here are the most important astronomy events in September 2024.
Temperatures are cooling down… slightly, and fall is on its way. Another supermoon heralds the start of harvest season.
September’s full moon, also known as the “Harvest Moon,” will be a sight to behold, as it’s also a supermoon that will appear larger but will also be around for a while. According to NASA, the moon will appear full for about three days, from Monday evening through Thursday morning. People will also be able to see a partial lunar eclipse along with the full moon.
Here’s when you can see the full moon, why it’s known as the Harvest Moon, and when the partial lunar eclipse will occur.
When is the next full moon?
According to NASA reports, the full moon will reach its peak on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at around 10:35 p.m. EDT.
Why is the full moon in September called the Harvest Moon?
The full moon in September is known as the Harvest Moon because it is usually the moon closest to the autumn equinox, which this year is September 22. This time of year is also when the season for summer crops ends and the last crops need to be harvested.
Why is the moon so big? What is a supermoon?
The moon will look pretty big this month because it is also a supermoon.
A supermoon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its 27-day orbit (perigee). The moon must also be at full phase, which happens every 29.5 days, according to Space.com. Typically, supermoons occur a few times a year at most, due to changes in the moon’s orbit as the Earth orbits the sun.
Although supermoons only occur a few times a year, we will experience four in a row in 2024.
August was the first in a series of four supermoons, with the closest supermoon to Earth occurring on October 17 at 6:26 a.m. CT/7:26 a.m. ET.
When can I see the partial lunar eclipse?
The best time to see the partial lunar eclipse will be Tuesday, shortly after the full moon’s peak at about 10:44 p.m. ET. The top eight percent of the moon will be in full shadow at that time.
The next total lunar eclipse visible from the Americas will be on March 14, 2025.
What are the different full moons called? When are they?
Each full moon has its own name. Here in North America, we take the names for the full moons from indigenous peoples who usually come from different areas of North America.
In the 1930s, the Maine Farmers’ Almanac began publishing names used among the Algonquian tribes from New England to Lake Superior. Here’s a look at when to expect more full moons in 2024, according to NASA:
- September 17, Harvest Moon
- October 17, Hunter’s Moon
- November 15, Beaver Moon
- December 15, Cold Moon
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
