Harvest Moon Spectacle: A Rare Double Treat

As the moon rose over the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro on Tuesday night, it was accompanied by a rare celestial phenomenon - a partial lunar eclipse. The skies lit up with a double treat, as a harvest supermoon and partial lunar eclipse put on a show for viewers. But what makes a harvest supermoon so special, and how does it differ from other full moons?

A supermoon is a full moon that appears larger and brighter than usual because it coincides with the lunar orbit's closest approach to Earth, known as perigee. This means the moon looks 30% brighter and 14% larger than when it's at its farthest point, or apogee. The harvest supermoon is a special type of supermoon that occurs closest to the fall equinox, a time when farmers would often work late into the night using the moon's light. The partial lunar eclipse was another highlight of the evening, as the Earth passed between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. About 3.5% of the moon was darkened by the Earth's umbra, the darkest segment of its shadow. Unlike solar eclipses, no special glasses are needed to safely view a lunar eclipse.

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