September’s Super Harvest Moon: Skywatchers are in for a treat tomorrow as a partial lunar eclipse will occur during September’s Super Harvest Moon. On Tuesday, September 17, a portion of the Full Harvest Moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, which will create a celestial event visible from various parts of the world, including North and South America (except Alaska), Europe, most of Africa, western Asia, and parts of Antarctica.

This lunar event will happen together with a "supermoon," a phenomenon that occurs when the moon is at the closest to the Earth in its slightly elliptical orbit. The moon will appear larger and brighter than usual.

What is a Partial Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse happens when the sun, Earth, and moon align in such a way that Earth casts its shadow on the moon. Tomorrow, the eclipse will be a partial one, as only the top 8.7% of the moon will be covered by Earth’s darkest shadow, known as the umbra or shadow. 

Super Harvest Moon Eclipse Timing

For those located in the Eastern U.S. time zone, the partial eclipse will begin around 8:40 p.m. EDT on September 17 and will reach its peak at 10:44 p.m. EDT. In Europe and Africa, the eclipse will be visible during the pre-dawn hours of September 18. For example, people in London can expect the eclipse’s peak at around 3:45 a.m. BST.

How to Watch Super Harvest Moon In Person? 

To watch the Super Harvest Moon, you can also grab a telescope which can enhance the experience of watching the lunar eclipse and other skywatching events.

How to Watch the Eclipse Online for Free

If you are in other parts of the world or if you can’t watch the eclipse in person, several livestreams will be available to make sure you don’t miss out. TimeAndDate.com will host a livestream of the partial lunar eclipse starting at 9 p.m. ET on September 17 (0100 GMT on September 18), complete with interactive maps and location-specific timing tools.

Moreover, the Adler Planetarium in Chicago will also offer a livestream starting at 10 pm EDT (9 pm CDT) with live commentary from astronomy educators. They will also describe the eclipse and share tips on how to best view the event yourself.