The Sturgeon Moon steps into the shadow
The Supermoon that was visible on September 17th, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. On this day, the full moon was a partial lunar eclipse; a supermoon; and a harvest moon.
PHOTO COURTESY NASA/GRC/JORDAN SALKIN
Skywatchers, get ready for an enchanting midnight view Aug. 27. The full moon will turn a coppery red as a deep partial lunar eclipse takes place. The event will be visible across the Rio Grande Valley, giving local residents an effortless view right from their backyards.
A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon when the sun, Earth and moon align in space, causing Earth to cast its shadow across the lunar surface, according to NASA. While this is a partial lunar eclipse, NASA data indicates roughly 93% of the moon’s surface will be in Earth’s shadow, leaving only a small portion illuminated by the sun.
During a typical partial eclipse, the moon can look like a white orb with a piece missing as Earth’s shadow moves across its surface. During a total lunar eclipse, however, the moon can take on its famous rust-red hue. With this eclipse reaching such deep coverage, skywatchers can expect much of the moon to take on a reddish appearance.
The best part? You won’t need any special equipment to watch the eclipse. Because the moon is bright and relatively close to Earth, light pollution isn’t much of a concern. In the Rio Grande Valley, the bigger concern is usually cloud cover.
According to EarthSky, the local timeline for the Rio Grande Valley on Thursday, Aug. 27, includes:
9:33 p.m. CDT - Eclipse begins: The moon begins to enter Earth’s shadow, which will gradually become visible across the lunar surface.
11:12 p.m. CDT - Maximum eclipse: The eclipse reaches its peak, with the moon at its darkest and most colorful.
12:52 a.m. CDT - Eclipse ends: Earth’s dark shadow completely leaves the moon, returning it to its familiar glow.
Moments like these offer a vivid reminder of the cosmic dance happening right above our heads, just beyond our atmosphere. Grab a lawn chair, a few friends or family members and a snack, and head outside for a chance to experience one of the many wonders the night sky has to offer.
