Supermoon will soon appear in sky over California—along with partial eclipse: How to watch

Stargazers will be in for a special treat when the next full moon shines over California. A partial lunar eclipse will coincide with a harvest supermoon on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

During the celestial event, the moon will look “slightly larger-than-average,” according to Space.com.

What’s a harvest moon? A supermoon?

The harvest moon is the name for the full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox—considered the official first day of fall.

In 2024, the fall equinox falls on Sunday, Sept. 22.

“Usually, full moon names reflect the time of year they happen,” said Time and Date, an online world clock. “True enough, the harvest moon graces the skies in the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere.”

The term “supermoon” refers to when a full moon is orbiting close to Earth.

“During these times, the moon can appear a bit larger in the sky, although the difference can be difficult to notice with the naked eye for most observers,” Space.com said.

When will full moon rise in sky above California?

The harvest supermoon will rise at 7:34 p.m. on Sept. 17, according to Time and Date.

What is a partial lunar eclipse?

Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth moves between the sun and moon, blocking the sunlight usually reflected by the moon.

When can I watch the partial lunar eclipse?

According to Time and Date, the partial lunar eclipse will begin in Sacramento around 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Maximum coverage of the moon is at 7:44 p.m. and the eclipse will end at 9:47 p.m.

Local times for the eclipse will vary depending on the city you’re in. For example, in Los Angeles, the partial lunar eclipse will start at 6:55 p.m.

You can find out when to watch in your area by searching for your city on TimeandDate.com.

Don’t expect a big eclipse, the online time and astronomy resource said.

“At most, only about 4%—a tiny fraction—of the moon’s disk will be covered by the darkest part of Earth’s shadow,” Time and Date said. “But the effect will be striking, as one part of the moon’s edge becomes shrouded in blackness.”

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