Tonight, there will be a partial lunar eclipse. The moon will enter Earth's shadow at 10:13 p.m. ET and exit at 11:16 p.m. ET, with the peak at 10:44 p.m. ET. Unlike a total lunar eclipse, the moon will not turn red, but a portion, particularly the top right corner, may appear darker. If the skies are clear, it’s a great opportunity to take a look!
By newsnyork
The moon entered Earth's full shadow at 10:13 p.m. ET and exited at 11:16 p.m. ET, with the eclipse peaking at 10:44 p.m. ET, according to NASA.
During a total lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow can cast a striking red hue on the moon, known as a blood moon. However, experts say this week’s event will not be a total eclipse.
“The eclipse on Tuesday will not be total, so the moon won’t appear red; instead, a part of it will darken,” explained Noah Petro, NASA project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Artemis III. “If you weren’t aware it was happening, you might not notice it at all. But a keen observer might see the ‘top right’ corner of the moon slightly darker. This area will be completely in Earth’s shadow, but only a small portion of the moon will be affected. If it’s clear outside, I encourage everyone to take a look at the moon—it’s always worth it!”
September's full moon is also the second of four consecutive supermoons expected in 2024. While definitions of a supermoon can vary, it generally refers to a full moon that is closer to Earth than usual, making it appear larger and brighter. Some astronomers define this phenomenon as occurring when the moon is within 90% of perigee, its closest point to Earth.
Typically, the average distance between Earth and the moon is about 238,900 miles (384,472 kilometers), but September’s full moon is anticipated to be just 222,637 miles (358,300 kilometers) away, according to NASA.
Also, keep an eye out for Saturn, which will appear as a bright dot near the full moon.