Look At the Moon This Tuesday in Maine

Tuesday evening on September 17th, 2024, is shaping up to be a fairly clear night for witnessing a rare lunar phenomenon in Maine.

Tuesday evening will host a full moon known as the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that takes place closest to the autumnal equinox. This happens annually in either September or October, but what's unique this year is that a partial eclipse will also take place in addition to it also being a supermoon.

What Does All That Mean for this Full Moon in The Maine Sky on Tuesday

1.) It is called a Harvest Moon because for several evenings, it appears bright in the sky immediately following the sunset.

For several evenings, the moonrise comes soon after sunset. This results in an abundance of bright moonlight early in the evening, which was a traditional aid to farmers and crews harvesting their summer-grown crops. Hence, it’s called the “Harvest” Moon! - almanac.com

2.) So why is this full moon also a supermoon? A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time the Moon is full.

There is a lot more science that goes into explaining this that is far above my paygrade and attention span. Basically, it's when the moon looks ABNORMALLY large. You can click here to nerd out and learn more.

Read More: There Are a Series of Supermoons in 2024

3.) This full moon is a trifecta because in addition to it being a Harvest Moon, and a supermoon, it will also be a partial lunar eclipse. The eclipse's peak will occur at 10:44 p.m. with 8% of the moon in the Earth's full shadow, appearing like a bite has been taken out of the moon. The moon will exit the full shadow at 11:16 p.m. and the partial shadow at 12:47 a.m. Eastern Time.