A partial lunar eclipse and super harvest moon graced the skies Tuesday night, according to a prior prediction by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The agency had revealed in a statement that the moon’s appearance will last three days through Thursday morning, beginning with the moon’s entrance into the Earth’s partial shadow at about 8:41 pm EDT on Tuesday (6:11 am IST Wednesday).
The unusual coincidence of a partial lunar eclipse and a super harvest moon occurring simultaneously is a global event. This unique celestial occurrence results in a slightly more prominent appearance of the moon in the night sky, visible in Western Asia, North and South America, Europe, Africa and parts of Antarctica. The fact that it will be delightfully visible in these regions makes it an event not to be missed.
The full moon of September is significant because it reflects a time when corn harvests traditionally started. It was therefore, named harvest moon by the Old Farmer’s Almanac, just like Astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, coined the term “supermoon” to indicate the time when a full moon is visible or when the moon is 90 per cent of its closest to the earth.
The visual delight is however, said to not be visible to those in India as the moon will be below horizon in the country all through the time when the lunar eclipse occurs.
Generally, eclipse occurs when distance between the moon and the earth becomes relatively low due to the moon’s orbit which is slightly elliptical or oval shaped.
According to reports, the next supermoon, which will be even closer, is scheduled for October 17, 2024.
