Supermoon and partial lunar eclipse light up Mid-Autumn Festival 2024

According to information from NASA and international astronomical agencies, on the night of September 17, astronomy lovers in Vietnam and around the world will be able to admire a special natural event: a supermoon, combined with a partial lunar eclipse.

Notably, this phenomenon took place right on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating an impressive scene with profound cultural significance.

A supermoon occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. This supermoon falls on the Mid-Autumn Festival, making for a stunning and highly anticipated sight.

On September 18, the supermoon will reach its maximum brightness and roundness at 9:35 a.m. Vietnam time, but people can start enjoying the beauty of the supermoon on the Mid-Autumn Festival night from tonight, September 17.

The supermoon took place on the night of September 17, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. (Photo: NASA)

This is the second of four consecutive supermoons in 2024, when the moon is at perihelion, or closest to Earth in its orbit.

This phenomenon is called the "harvest moon" because it often appears at the time when farmers harvest their crops, when the bright moonlight prolongs the time for working and harvesting at night.

A partial lunar eclipse will also occur. The eclipse will begin at 7:41 a.m. and reach its maximum at 9:44 a.m. (Vietnam time), when about 8 percent of the moon's surface will be covered by the Earth's shadow. This will last until 11:47 a.m. before the moon completely exits the Earth's shadow.

This year's supermoon and lunar eclipse coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is not only special astronomically but also has deep cultural significance, especially in Vietnam and other Asian countries such as China, Korea and Japan, where the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated to honor the harvest season and family reunions.

In Vietnamese culture, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions, children to play under the moonlight, enjoy moon cakes, and watch the full moon.

In China, the day is also known as the Reunion Festival, when the full moon symbolizes family reunion and harmony. In Korea, the occasion is called Chuseok, a traditional harvest festival and family reunion. In Japan, it is the occasion for Tsukimi, or moon viewing.

To admire this amazing phenomenon, people are advised to watch from areas with clear views, avoiding areas with strong artificial lights. In particular, at the peak of the eclipse, the moon will be partially obscured by the shadow of the earth, creating an image that is both mysterious and beautiful.

The supermoon combined with lunar eclipse event on the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival this year promises to bring a special experience to people everywhere, both enjoying the majestic natural beauty and preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/sieu-trang-va-hien-tuong-nguyet-thuc-mot-phan-thap-sang-dem-mid-thu-2024-post831487.html