This Tuesday, September 17, 2024, residents of the state of California will have the opportunity to witness two unique astronomical phenomena: a partial lunar eclipse and the Super Harvest Moonboth visible to the naked eye from various cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and more. This article details the Schedules, phases and key features of the event.
- What is a partial lunar eclipse and a supermoon?
- Where to watch the eclipse in California?
- Exact time of the lunar eclipse today
- Why might the moon look reddish today?
- Live broadcast of the lunar eclipse
- Upcoming eclipses
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a partial lunar eclipse and a supermoon?
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when part of the Moon enters the Earth’s Umbral shadow, darkening only part of it. In this case, the eclipse in California will be visible from the afternoon into the evening of September 17.
The Super Harvest Moon is a phenomenon that occurs when the Moon’s orbit approaches the Earth (perigee), causing it to appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. This supermoon is special because it coincides with the eclipse, making this event a remarkable visual spectacle.
The California cities with the best visibility for this astronomical event are:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Sacrament
- Saint Joseph
- Oakland
- Ash
- San Bernardino
While no special equipment is needed to view the eclipse, using a professional telescope can enhance the experience by providing a more detailed view of the Moon and its surface during the eclipse.
Exact time of the lunar eclipse today
California residents will be able to follow the phases of the partial lunar eclipse on September 17 according to the following schedule:
- Beginning of the penumbral eclipse: 5:41 pm Pacific Time
- Beginning of the partial eclipse: 7:12 pm Pacific Time
- Maximum of partial eclipse: 7:44 pm Pacific Time
- End of partial eclipse: 8:15 pm Pacific Time
- End of the penumbral eclipse: 9:47 pm Pacific Time
Why might the moon look reddish today?
During the lunar eclipse, there is a possibility that the Moon will acquire a reddish toneThis phenomenon occurs due to the scattering of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing only red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface. This type of event is known as a “Blood Moon” and is an additional spectacle during a lunar eclipse.
Live broadcast of the lunar eclipse
For those who can’t see the eclipse in person, there are several platforms that will offer live streams:
- Time and Date:Time and Date will stream the event via its official YouTube channel starting at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm PT).
- Virtual Telescope Project: The Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi will offer a live stream of the eclipse beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT) with high-quality images from its telescope.
Upcoming eclipses
If you miss this spectacle, don’t worry. Here are the dates of the next astronomical eclipses:
- Partial Solar Eclipse: October 2, 2024
- Total Lunar Eclipse: March 13-14, 2025
- Partial Solar Eclipse: March 29, 2025
- Total Lunar Eclipse: September 7, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to look directly at the lunar eclipse? Yes, lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses which require special eye protection.
2. How long will the partial lunar eclipse last? The partial eclipse will last 1 hour and 3 minutes, while the entire event, including the penumbral phase, will have a total duration of 4 hours and 6 minutes.
3. What is a Blood Moon? A Blood Moon occurs when the Moon turns red during a lunar eclipse due to the scattering of sunlight in the Earth’s atmosphere.
4. What is the best city in California to view the eclipse? Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento will offer excellent views of the partial lunar eclipse and the Harvest Supermoon.
5. Can I see the eclipse without a telescope? Yes, the lunar eclipse and supermoon will be visible to the naked eye. However, a telescope can enhance the experience by showing finer details of the lunar surface.
6. What should I do if I cannot see the eclipse from my location? You can watch the partial lunar eclipse via live streams on platforms such as Time and Date or the Virtual Telescope Project.