It’ll be another 8 years before you see it again
Image via Pixabay
If you missed all of this year’s eclipses, you’re in luck. Tonight, September 16, will be your final chance to watch the solar system in action this year thanks to a lunar eclipse coinciding with a Harvest Moon. Look up into the sky around 2:45 am Eastern Time and you’ll see our planet’s shadow engulfing a full, orange moon. Not bad for a Friday night activity, right?
Here’s the catch, though—if you miss this go around, you’ll have to wait until 2024 to see an eclipse of this variety again. Dubbed the Harvest Moon for its close proximity to the autumn equinox, September’s full moon takes on a warm orange glow, making this year’s penumbral eclipse all the spookier.
According to National Geographic, those living in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the western Pacific basin will enjoy the best view of the natural phenomenon. Luckily, everyone can have a front row seat by watching Slooh observatory’s live stream. So whether you’re camping in the deep, dark woods or pulling an all-nighter at the office, everyone will have a chance to witness the eclipse.
The entire process takes about four hours, so you won’t have to worry too much about being late either. And unlike the super Blood Moon eclipse that happened earlier this year, this one won’t be quite so obvious to the naked eye, which means you might want to dig up the old telescope to snag a closer look—if you’re not watching it through your laptop that is.
So set your timers and find a clear spot in the sky tonight. The moon isn’t the kind of date you stand up.
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