Rare Harvest Moon, supermoon, partial eclipse tonight — Will Chang’e, Jade Rabbit make appearance?

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 18: A spectacular celestial event is set to light up the skies tonight as the full Harvest Moon coincides with a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse.

According to The Star, citing The Straits Times, the moon will rise around 7.19pm, and its brightest and most radiant view will be visible at 9.30pm.

Marking the end of summer and the onset of fall, this Harvest Moon comes shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival, making it a particularly special full moon.

Unusually large and bright, for a period of time, it will appear as if a small bite has been taken out due to the partial lunar eclipse.

According to EarthSky, the phenomenon occurs because the ecliptic—the path of the sun, moon, and planets—forms a narrow angle with the eastern horizon near sunset, around the time of the autumn equinox.

This narrow angle causes short intervals between successive moonrises, meaning for several evenings in a row, we will see a full or nearly full moon low in the eastern sky during twilight.

Historically, before the invention of electric lights, the bright light of the Harvest Moon allowed farmers to work longer hours in the fields, giving them more time to harvest crops. Hence, the name “Harvest Moon”.

This year’s Harvest Moon is the second of four consecutive supermoons in 2024. A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.

On this occasion, the moon will be 357,486 kilometres away—significantly closer than the average distance of 384,472 kilometers.

Mid-Autumn Festival and lunar legends

For those who missed yesterday’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations (Sept 17), tonight presents another chance to gaze and admire the full moon in its full glory.

Perhaps, people can spot the archer hero Hou Yi and his wife, the moon goddess Chang’e, or the Jade Rabbit, iconic figures in the most well-known myth associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

As legend has it, Hou Yi was rewarded with an elixir of immortality after shooting down nine of the ten suns that had scorched the Earth. When his apprentice attempted to steal the elixir, Chang’e consumed it to prevent the theft, and as a result, she floated to the moon, becoming immortal. Hou Yi would prepare a feast on this night every year in hopes of seeing her shadow on the moon.

Another well-known tale involves the Jade Rabbit, said to be Chang’e’s companion on the moon. According to the story, the Emperor of Heaven tested the virtues of three animals—a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit—by asking for food. While the fox and monkey brought back food, the rabbit had nothing and, in a gesture of selflessness, offered herself instead. The Emperor, moved by the rabbit’s sacrifice, honoured her by placing her on the moon, where she can be seen by all.

Tonight’s Harvest Moon offers not only a dazzling display but also a connection to these ancient stories, giving us the chance to appreciate both the science and the mythology behind one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. — DayakDaily

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