This September’s full moon, known as the Harvest Moon, is particularly special for two reasons: it is a Supermoon and it coincides with a partial lunar eclipse. The Harvest Moon, which occurs closest to the fall equinox, started its phase on Monday night, according to NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman. This year, it will be brighter and closer to Earth than usual, with peak illumination expected on Tuesday night.
The term “Harvest Moon” historically refers to the bright moonlight that assists farmers in harvesting summer crops. It’s also known by names such as the Full Corn Moon or the Barley Moon. On its closest approach to Earth this Tuesday, the moon will be about 222,000 miles away, compared to approximately 252,000 miles at its farthest.
Autumn officially begins after the Harvest Moon rises, marking the autumnal equinox, which occurs at 7:44 a.m. on September 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.
In Chicago, the phenomenon called “Chicagohenge” also occurs around the equinox. This event is characterized by the sun setting directly east and west, allowing for stunning views framed by the city’s skyline. Popular locations to witness this include the intersections of Kinzie and Madison Streets as well as views along Randolph Street near Millennium Park.
In addition to the full moon, a partial lunar eclipse will take place on Tuesday night. Unlike a solar eclipse, where the moon blocks the sun, in a lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a shadow that partially covers the moon. As a result, viewers might see a slight darkening of the moon’s surface, particularly around 9:45 p.m., which is the peak time for the partial eclipse. Observers in Chicago should look for the best visibility between approximately 9:40 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.
There’s also mention of an annular solar eclipse set to occur two weeks after the lunar eclipse, with significant visibility only in Hawaii, where viewers can see about half of the sun being blocked by the moon.
Looking ahead, the next total lunar eclipse visible from Chicago will occur on March 15, 2025, while the next total solar eclipse will not take place until 2044 or 2045, with Chicago’s next opportunity for a total solar eclipse on September 14, 2099.