September's supermoon is on the way, following the first one of the year in August.
In addition to the treat of viewing the second supermoon of 2024, this month's moon will come hand-in-hand with a lunar eclipse. It is also this year's Harvest Moon, a designation given to one full moon yearly.
Here's how to view, and what else to know about September's Harvest Moon.
More:Old Farmer's Almanac winter weather forecast for Western NC: Does NOAA agree?
When is the September lunar eclipse?
The partial lunar eclipse will be visible Tuesday, Sept. 17. The moon will make contact with the outer shadow of the Earth (the penumbra) at 8:41 p.m. By 10:13 p.m., the darker inner shadow of the Earth will begin to darken the upper portion of the moon, with maximum coverage reached by 10:45 p.m.
It's worth noting that, while the darkening will be noticeable, partial lunar eclipses are significantly less dramatic than total eclipses. The moon will return to full illumination by 12:47 a.m.
What is a 'supermoon'? What happens during a supermoon?
TheOld Farmer's Almanacexplains that a supermoon is a new or full moon that happens when the moon is near perigee — the point in its orbit closest to the Earth. Astrologer Richard Nolle coined the term "supermoon" in 1979. He specified that the moon must be within 90% of perigee.
Different publications may use different thresholds for deciding which full moons qualify as supermoons.
More:When does daylight saving time end? Here's when to set your clocks back
Is there a supermoon in September?
The Harvest Moon is the second supermoon of the year following August's Sturgeon Moon. Supermoons generally appear three or four times a year, always consecutively; the next supermoons are Oct. 17 and Nov. 15.
More:Aurora borealis was dazzling. Will northern lights be visible in Asheville, NC again soon?
How to view the supermoon
Though supermoons are closer to the Earth than normal, they only appear about 7% larger. Combining this 7% with the "moon illusion" may be the best way to view a supermoon.
As the mind tends to exaggerate the size of objects near the skyline, the moon generally appears significantly larger when rising or setting. Therefore, for an optimal viewing experience, consider observing the supermoon at these times for a supersized illusion.
More:Cause of wildfire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park identified: What to know
When is the next full moon?
September's full moon, the Harvest Moon, will peak Sept. 17 at 10:34 p.m.
More:When is the first day of fall? Western NC's fall weather forecast by Old Farmer's Almanac
What is a Harvest Moon? Why is it called the Harvest Moon?
Another interesting fact about September's full moon is its role as this year's Harvest Moon. The almanac explains that the name is given to the full moon that happens closes to the fall equinox. As this moon rises at roughly the same time for several evenings in a row, farmers have several evenings of moonlight to allow them to finish harvests before fall frost arrives.
Generally, September's moon takes the name. However, if the full moon in October occurs close to the equinox, it will be the Harvest Moon for the year. In those cases, the moon in September is named the Corn Moon due to the fact that it is full during the time when corn is being harvested in much of the U.S.
Previous reporting by the Hendersonville Times-Newssaid that the 12 full moons each year are named by Native American tradition. In the same article,UNC Asheville Associate Professor of Astronomy Britt Lundren reminded readers that, when sharing the titles of the monthly moons, it's important to remember the cultural diversity of tribes in the U.S. This diversity means that there are multiple names for each of the full moons every year.
"Each tribe has a close relationship with the land, and their moon names will reflect the seasonal changes unique to their environments," Lundren said.
Alternative moon names tend to highlight the transitional period between summer and fall occurring in September, or the yearly behaviors of animals during the time:
- Autumn Moon (Cree)
- Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe)
- Leaves Turning Moon (Anishinaabe)
- Moon of Brown Leaves (Lakota)
- Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine)
- Child Moon (Tlingit)
- Mating Moon or Rutting Moon (Cree)
More:Asheville Answer Woman: When do black bears start hibernating? Why are bears euthanized?
Full moon names 2024
Here's a list of the full moon names for 2024, courtesy of theOld Farmer's Almanac:
- January - Wolf Moon
- February - Snow Moon
- March - Worm Moon
- April - Pink Moon
- May - Flower Moon
- June - Strawberry Moon
- July - Buck Moon
- August - Sturgeon Moon
- September - Corn Moon
- October - Hunter Moon
- November - Beaver Moon
- December - Cold Moon
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
