On the early morning of September 18th, a partial lunar eclipse coincided with a supermoon, where the Moon appeared larger than usual. This full Moon, often called the Corn Moon, occurred during harvest time.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon happens when the full Moon aligns with its closest approach to Earth, called perigee. This time, the Moon was just 363,497 kilometers from Earth. Compared to a full Moon at apogee (its farthest point), the supermoon appeared 14% larger and 30% brighter.
The Partial Lunar Eclipse
The eclipse happened as the Earth positioned itself between the Sun and the full Moon, casting a shadow. In a partial eclipse, only part of the Moon enters Earth’s shadow, creating a unique visual spectacle.
Traditional Moon Names
Recently, Native American names for full moons have become popular. September’s full Moon is known as the Corn Moon, Barley Moon, or Harvest Moon, reflecting the seasonal harvests of corn and barley.