September’s Full Corn Moon Meets a Blood Moon Eclipse
This weekend brings a rare treat in the night sky — September’s full corn moon will shine bright, but with a dramatic twist. A total lunar eclipse is happening at the same time, and for many skywatchers across the globe, the moon will transform into what’s often called a “blood moon.”
Here’s what that means. A lunar eclipse takes place when the sun, Earth, and moon line up in just the right way, with Earth casting its shadow across the moon. As that shadow spreads, the moon first appears to darken, then slips into a rich reddish glow. The red color happens because sunlight bends around Earth’s atmosphere. Blue light gets scattered, but the longer red and orange wavelengths make it through and reflect off the moon’s surface. It’s almost as if every sunrise and sunset on Earth is being projected onto the moon all at once.
Also Read:- Arsenal Fight Back to Beat London City Lionesses 4-1
- Bo Bichette Scare Ends in Relief During Yankees Clash
The eclipse this month will last for more than five hours from start to finish, with the total phase — when the moon is fully covered by Earth’s shadow — stretching for about an hour and twenty minutes. It will be visible across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia, with some regions seeing the entire event from start to end. Unfortunately, people in North and South America will miss the eclipse this time, though they’ll still enjoy a bright full moon lighting up the weekend skies.
This full moon is known as the corn moon. The Old Farmer’s Almanac gave it that name long ago, since it aligns with the harvest season for corn in the Northern Hemisphere. Like other full moons, it appears round for several nights, so even if clouds block the exact peak, it can still be admired throughout the weekend.
The beauty of a lunar eclipse is that no special equipment is needed. Unlike a solar eclipse, there’s no danger in looking directly at the moon. Just stepping outside and finding a dark spot away from streetlights is enough. Binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view, but even without them, the slow transformation of the moon is breathtaking. Astronomers describe it as a more relaxed experience compared to the sudden drama of a solar eclipse.
For those who might feel left out in the Americas, another chance will come soon — the next total lunar eclipse is scheduled for March 2026, and that one will be visible across the western hemisphere. And even beyond eclipses, the skies have plenty to offer in the coming months: more full moons, meteor showers, and even a partial solar eclipse later this September.
So, whether you’re in the part of the world that gets the blood moon or not, this weekend is a reminder to look up. The moon has been a constant companion to Earth for more than four billion years, carrying the scars of its history in the craters we can see with our own eyes. Moments like these connect us not just to the sky, but to time itself — a chance to pause and share in a show that belongs to everyone under the same heavens.
Read More:
0 Comments