Don’t Miss September’s Full Corn Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse: Key Insights You Need to Know!

Many sky-gazers are in for a treat this weekend with a total lunar eclipse. This spectacular event will turn the moon a striking reddish hue.

The lunar eclipse will be visible for those in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, as noted by NASA. As the Earth, moon, and sun align, the moon will enter a crescent-shaped shadow before being completely obscured. Light from the sun will bend around Earth, with blue light scattering away and leaving the red wavelengths to light up the moon, creating what’s known as a “blood moon.”

The eclipse begins at 11:28 a.m. ET and ends at 4:55 p.m. ET. Totality, when the moon is fully shadowed, starts at 1:30 p.m. ET and lasts for about an hour and 23 minutes, according to EarthSky.

Noah Petro, a scientist at NASA, explains that lunar eclipses have a gradual beauty. Unlike solar eclipses that happen quickly, lunar eclipses unfold slowly, allowing viewers to take their time. You don’t need any special gear, just a spot in the right hemisphere to enjoy the sight.

For those in North and South America, you’ll have the chance to see a bright full moon, also called the corn moon, which coincides with this celestial event.

Petro advises finding a dark spot away from city lights for the best view of both the moon and the eclipse stages. You won’t need a telescope or special glasses, although binoculars can enhance the experience.

When the moon is fully covered by Earth’s shadow, it glows red from sunlight filtering through the atmosphere. Sometimes, just before and after totality, a bluish or purplish band can appear around the moon due to light scattering through the ozone layer.

While total lunar eclipses are rare, they usually happen about twice a year. If you miss this one, the next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3, 2026, visible from parts of North and South America.

Interestingly, full moons happen every 29 days, but many people cherish the experience of witnessing a lunar eclipse as it connects us with a cosmic event. As Sara Russell from the Natural History Museum points out, the moon has been a part of Earth’s story for over 4.5 billion years, and spotting its craters with the naked eye is a reminder of that history.

Looking ahead, the next several full moons will be supermoons, making them appear larger and brighter, so there are more cosmic shows to look forward to in the coming months.

If you’re keen to catch other sky spectacles, meteor showers are lined up later this year, too. The Draconids peak on October 8-9, and the Orionids follow on October 22-23, offering more chances to marvel at the night sky.

For more about future eclipses, you can check NASA’s website here.

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