The partial lunar eclipse of September 18, 2024, will be visible from several continents, including the Americas, Europe, and Africa. It is part of a series of astronomical phenomena in 2024 that will last more than four hours, with the partial phase beginning at 00:41 UTC and peaking at 02:44. During this period, a small piece of the Moon will pass through Earth’s umbral shadow, darkening around 8.5% of its surface.
A partial lunar eclipse will take place on the UTC night of September 18. The penumbral phase begins at 00:41 UTC, followed by the partial eclipse, which occurs as the Moon passes through Earth’s umbra at 02:12 UTC. The maximum eclipse occurs at 02:44 UTC.
From start to end, the whole event will run little more than four hours, with the half portion lasting 63 minutes.
The eclipse will be seen throughout a large geographic area, including the entire continental United States, South America, Europe, and Africa. It will be visible in the Americas late evening and in Europe and Africa in the early morning. Clear skies and a nice view of the eastern or western horizon will improve the viewing experience for those in the visible regions.
The eclipse will see a small section of the Moon pass into Earth’s umbral shadow. With a maximum magnitude of 8.5%, only a tiny portion of the Moon’s surface will darken, producing a noticeable but minor visual impression. Although not a total eclipse, it allows us to see the Moon’s changing brightness as it passes under Earth’s shadow. The event is part of a more significant eclipse season, which includes an annular solar eclipse two weeks later.
Skywatchers worldwide, especially amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts, are ready to observe the eclipse. This is the third of four eclipses in 2024, making it an essential time for those studying celestial phenomena.
The event is part of the Saros cycle 118, a sequence of lunar eclipses that occur around every 18 years and repeat under similar conditions. This particular eclipse is number 52 of 73 in the series, and the eclipses in Saros 118 occur when the Moon crosses Earth’s ascending node, meaning it is slightly above the ecliptic plane. Going to places with low light pollution and a clear line of sight to the Moon is advised for the most excellent viewing.
The September eclipse is closely followed by an annular solar eclipse on October 2, 2024, completing a pair of eclipses occurring during the same eclipse season.
This partial lunar eclipse will provide an excellent opportunity to observe the interaction of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, albeit more modestly than a total eclipse. It is still a thrilling event for skywatchers in the observable regions.
References:
¹ Partial Lunar Eclipse of 2024 September 18 – Fred Espenak – EclipseWise.com – Accessed September 8, 2024