Expect 'Harvest Moon' and Partial Lunar Eclipse: When and How to Observe These Phenomena

The 'Harvest Moon' will rise in the sky on the morning of September 18. What is this phenomenon? This year, the supermoon coincides with a partial lunar eclipse.

On September 18, at 06:35 Yerevan time, the sky will be illuminated by the 'Harvest Moon'. This year, the full moon coincides with a partial lunar eclipse.

The details on where and how to observe this astronomical phenomenon are provided in an article by RBC Life.

What is the 'Harvest Moon'? The 'Harvest Moon' is a full moon that occurs near the autumn equinox. Its name is derived from the fact that during this season, the moon rises just after sunset, illuminating the earth all through the night. In ancient times, the bright light of the moon helped to continue the harvest even after nightfall.

This year, the 'Harvest Moon' coincides with a supermoon. The term 'supermoon' was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 to describe a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is at its closest distance to Earth — up to 90%. This will be the second of four supermoons this year; the first was the 'Sturgeon Moon', which rose on August 19. The moon will appear full for several days, from September 17 to 19.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

The full moon on September 18 will be accompanied by a partial lunar eclipse. The moon will pass through a part of Earth's shadow, creating the effect that a small piece of the moon's disc has been 'nibbled' away.

The eclipse will begin on September 18 at 4:41 AM Yerevan time. At the maximum phase, which will occur at 6:44 AM Yerevan time, the moon will be partially eclipsed by 3.5%. The end of the partial eclipse is expected at 7:15 AM Yerevan time, while the full end of the penumbral phase will be at 8:47 AM Yerevan time.

The lunar eclipse will be visible on the night side of the Earth. The total eclipse can be seen in the western regions of Africa and Europe, South America, and parts of Antarctica. In Russia, residents of Western Siberia and the European part of the country, including the Kaliningrad region, will be able to observe the eclipse, where conditions will be most favorable. However, astronomers warn that the eclipse should be observed carefully, as the change in the moon's appearance will be barely noticeable.