The Atlantic experienced its second annual Lunar Eclipse Wednesday, Sept. 17, at approximately 10:40 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. From beginning to end, the partial lunar eclipse lasted around 4 hours and 6 minutes, but ultimately, it never reached totality. Unlike the total solar eclipse back in April where the sun was completely covered by the moon, only a sliver of the full moon was hidden.
For those who do not know, a lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon line up perfectly in order and the moon enters and is concealed by the inner parts of Earth’s shadow, the umbra. However, that is the perfect scenario. Instead, a partial lunar eclipse like the one on Wednesday occurs when the three celestial bodies are not perfectly aligned. For reference, only 8% of the moon was covered.
A lunar eclipse occurs only twice a year, making it a rare sight to see. The last time the entirety of North America experienced a total lunar eclipse was Nov. 8, 2022. Since then, each eclipse in North America has been partial. However, NASA is able to predict the course of these celestial phenomena. The next lunar eclipse is predicted to be March 14, 2025. It will be visible throughout all of America and will be total.
Adding to the fun, this full moon was no ordinary moon, but rather a supermoon. According to USA Today, a supermoon occurs when “a full moon coincides with the satellite’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit.” When the moon is closest to Earth on its elliptical path it is referred to as perigee, and this results in a supermoon.
Unlike other eclipses from past years, this year’s super lunar eclipse coincided with September’s Harvest Full Moon. The full moon every September is called a Harvest Moon, named for its historical connection to when crops needed to be harvested from the fields. Although there is no physical or astronomical impact of this, it holds significant meaning for moon enthusiasts everywhere.
Conversely, a supermoon, or perigee-syzygy, has important physical impacts on Earth’s oceans. TimeandDate writes, “Supermoons lead to around 5 cm (2 inches) larger variation than regular spring tides, called perigean spring tides.” Full and new moons have stronger gravitational forces than the other moon phases, creating stronger tides known as spring tides. However, due to its close proximity to Earth, a supermoon affects the tides with a stronger gravitational force than even a full or new moon.
While the next eclipse visible in North America isn’t until next year, something interesting is always happening in the sky. For instance, there is a supermoon predicted to occur on Oct. 17. Additionally, the moon will hide the bright star Spica in the constellation Virgo around 5:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and it will reappear around sunrise Nov. 28.
For anyone who wants to experience space firsthand, the Drew University Observatory is open on clear Friday evenings to the general public from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the school semesters. You may also schedule ahead. For specific schedule information and if you have any questions, email Dr. Robert Murawski or call (973) 408-3834.
Dee Cohen is a junior double-majoring in French and English with a concentration in literature.
Featured image courtesy of Dee Cohen.