Trifecta: ‘Harvest’ Supermoon Partial Lunar Eclipse

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Here’s what you can expect to see in Wisconsin and the best time frame to take a step outside and take a peek at the moon.

September’s full “harvest” moon will light up the night sky on Tuesday the 17th, 2024.

The harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which this year falls on September 22nd, marking the first day of Autumn. The name dates back to a time before electricity when farmers depended on the moon’s light to harvest their crops late into the evening. NASA says the Oxford English Dictionary cites 1706 as the first year the term “harvest moon” was published.

It is also a supermoon, meaning it’s slightly bigger and brighter than an average moon. And its the last supermoon of the year, too.

It’ll emerge on a Monday and will reach peak illumination at 9:30 at night on Tuesday, September 17th.

Adding to the sky watching fun, there will also be a partial lunar eclipse taking place. A small sliver of the moon will become dim as part of the Earth’s shadow passes over the moon, peaking at 9:44 p.m. Only 8% of the moon will be in shadow. Wisconsin is expected to have clear skies, for all eyes to view.

The next total lunar eclipse visible from the states will be on March 14th, 2024, that one will turn the moon a reddish hue.