Calgary 
Look up tonight to see a partial lunar eclipse.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when Earth’s shadow blocks the sun’s light, causing the moon to appear dark. During a full lunar eclipse, the full moon, sun, and the earth align with the planet in the middle.
During a partial lunar eclipse (like the one occurring tonight), only a part of the Earth’s shadow will fall on the moon’s surface. Although the moon doesn’t cross the center of the Earth’s shadow, the alignment is still enough to turn a small part of the moon dark.
The eclipse (penumbral) begins at 8:41 p.m. EDT when Earth’s shadow starts shading the moon. By 10:12 p.m, a small dark smudge 0r “bite” will appear on the moon’s top edge as it enters the umbra. The peak occurs at 10:44 p.m, with 8% of the moon in full shadow. The moon will exit the umbral eclipse by 11:16 p.m., and the penumbral eclipse will disappear by 12:47 a.m., marking the eclipse’s end after 246 minutes.
Canada will see a total lunar eclipse from March 13 to 14, 2025.
Harvest Moon
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the full moon near Autumn Equinox is historically called the Harvest Moon, and it can occur in either September or October, depending on when the full moon occurs in that particular year.
Supermoon
Supermoons are called so because they occur when the Moon is nearest to the Earth, which makes them larger and brighter when viewed from Earth.
The September full moon is a supermoon because it is within the definition of 90% of the perigee position (varies from 356,355 to 370,399 km). On September 17, 10:34 p.m. (EDT), the moon will be at 357486 km from Earth. In a typical year, there will be 3 to 4 supermoons (5 in 2024). Two more Supermoons will follow tonight’s Supermoon.
During supermoons, the moon will appear only about 14% bigger and 30% brighter (i.e., an increase in the moon’s illuminance by 0.28 magnitude) than when it is at the farthest point.
While the moon will appear bigger, and the change in illuminance is hardly perceptible to the human eye. The moon will probably look pretty much like any other full moon, except that you know it is a Super Harvest moon!
When is the lunar eclipse:
Tonight’s eclipse will be visible from all of Canada. The eclipse will last 246 minutes, with the partial eclipse for 64 minutes.
Observers looking at the Moon will be able to see a faint but distinct smudge on the moon’s disk during the duration of the umbral eclipse.
For those in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the moon will rise only after the penumbral eclipse begins, and western B.C. residents will miss out on the beginning of the partial eclipse.
During tonight’s partial eclipse, only around 3.5 percent of the moon’s area (magnitude of 8.5%) will be in Earth’s umbra at the maximum eclipse.
Date: September 17-18, 2024
- Newfoundland Time: Penumbral eclipse Begins: 10:11 pm; Partial Eclipse Begins: 11:42 pm; Maximum Eclipse: 12:14 am; Partial Eclipse Ends: 12:45 am; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 2:17 am
- Atlantic Time: Penumbral eclipse Begins: 9:41 pm; Partial Eclipse Begins: 11:12 pm ; Maximum Eclipse: 11:44 pm; Partial Eclipse Ends: 12:15 am; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 1:47 am
- Eastern Time: Penumbral eclipse Begins: 8:41 pm; Partial Eclipse Begins: 10:12 pm; Maximum Eclipse: 10:44 pm; Partial Eclipse Ends:11:15 pm; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 12:47 am
- Central Time: Penumbral eclipse Begins: 7:41 pm; Partial Eclipse Begins: 9:12 pm; Maximum Eclipse: 9:44 pm; Partial Eclipse Ends: 10:15 pm; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 11:47 pm
- Mountain Time (Central Standard Time in SK): Penumbral eclipse Begins: 6:41 pm; Partial Eclipse Begins: 8:12 pm; Maximum Eclipse: 8:44 pm; Partial Eclipse Ends: 9:15 pm; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 10:47 pm
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- Moon Rise in Regina: 7:07 pm
- Moon Rise in Saskatoon: 7:16 pm
- Moon Rise in Calgary: 7:45 pm
- Moon Rise in Edmonton: 7:44 pm
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- Pacific Time: Penumbral eclipse Begins: 5:41 pm; Partial Eclipse Begins: 7:12 pm; Maximum Eclipse: 7:44 pm; Partial Eclipse Ends: 8:15 pm; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 9:47 pm
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- Moon Rise in Kelowna: 7:07 pm
- Moon Rise in Vancouver: 7:21 pm
- Moon Ride in Victoria: 7:22 pm
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How to watch the lunar eclipse:
Watching a lunar eclipse is a safe activity. Just look up at the moon with the naked eye. You can also use binoculars or a small telescope for a clearer view.
