Tonight is special—it’s the September Full Moon and a total lunar eclipse. Let’s dive into what’s happening with the moon on this beautiful night, September 7.
The moon is in its Full Moon phase, which means it’s fully illuminated for us on Earth. With a clear sky, you’ll see a bright moon that reveals many fascinating features. You might spot the Aristarchus Plateau and Copernicus Crater with your eyes alone. If you have binoculars, take a closer look at the Grimaldi Basin and Gassendi Crater. For those equipped with a telescope, the Fra Mauro Highlands await your discovery.
Although a total lunar eclipse is occurring tonight, it won’t be visible from the Americas, which is disappointing for many skywatchers. However, the beauty of the Full Moon still makes this night special.
The next Full Moon will be on October 6. If you’re interested in moon phases, they occur due to the moon’s 29.5-day orbit around the Earth. As the moon moves, we see different portions illuminated by the sun. This cycle gives us various phases, ranging from the New Moon, when the moon is invisible, to the Full Moon, which lights up the night sky completely.
Here’s a quick look at the moon phases:
- New Moon: The moon is between Earth and the sun, making it invisible.
- Waxing Crescent: A small sliver of light appears on the right.
- First Quarter: Half of the moon is lit on the right side.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half is illuminated but not quite full.
- Full Moon: The entire face of the moon is lit up.
- Waning Gibbous: The moon begins to lose its light on the right side.
- Last Quarter: The left side is lit, appearing as another half-moon.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left before it goes dark again.
Interestingly, lunar events like this can be a hot topic on social media, with many sharing their moonwatching experiences. Recent surveys show that interest in astronomy has surged, especially among younger generations who are connecting with nature through stargazing.
Whether you’re simply admiring the Full Moon or following the lunar phases, this celestial journey continues to inspire awe and curiosity. For more on moon phases and what you can observe, check out NASA’s resources (here).