What the supermoon and lunar eclipse on September 17 mean for your zodiac sign (2024)

The Harvest Moon is putting on a show tonight! It's a lunar eclipse, too.

The final lunar eclipse of 2024 is set to unfold the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 17 and will be visible across North America, playing out on September's supermoon.

Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth is positioned between the moon and the sun.

"A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. That is, the Earth blocks out the sun as seen from the moon. While the moon is in the Earth’s shadow, it will become much darker," Dr. Benjamin Boe, an eclipse expert and an assistant professor of physics at Wentworth Institute of Technology, tells TODAY.com.

There are three types of lunar eclipses: Total, partial, and penumbral. The lunar eclipse on Sept. 17 is a partial eclipse.

During partial eclipses, the three planetary bodies are not perfectly aligned. So, while the moon passes through the earth's umbra (or shadow), it doesn't take on the reddish hue of a total lunar eclipse, per NASA. Instead, it appears that a shadow is cast on the moon.

Boe says this eclipse won't have a particularly dramatic appearance.

“This eclipse will only be a partial eclipse with a small fraction of the moon going dark and having that red color. The rest of the moon will be in a partial eclipse, so it will get fainter but not too dramatically. As far as lunar eclipses go, this one is very minor,” he says.

How can I see the lunar eclipse on September 17?

According to EarthSky, the partial solar eclipse will be visible on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18.

The lunar eclipse will be visible to the parts of the Earth experiencing nightfall at the time it takes place.

In this case, the eclipse will be visible throughout North and South America, Europe, eastern Polynesia, the Atlantic Ocean, most of Africa, parts of the Middle East and the western Indian Ocean.

The entire eclipse spans just under three hours. In New York, the maximum of the partial eclipse — when the moon covers the most of the sun — will occur at 10:44 p.m, per TimeAndDate. In Los Angeles, it will be at 7:44 p.m. To find when the lunar eclipse will begin in your city, check out TimeAndDate.

“This eclipse is convenient for observers in the eastern and central time zones since it occurs relatively early at night. However, it is not a great lunar eclipse due to how small a fraction of the Moon will go properly dark,” Boe says.

"If you have seen lunar eclipses before, it will not be anything too special. If you have never seen one then it could still be a treat to watch."

Is the lunar eclipse also a supermoon?

Lunar eclipses always occur during the full moon — so, yes, there is a full moon on Sept. 17, too. The moon will reach peak fullness at 10:35 PM ET, per NASA.

September’s Harvest Moon is a supermoon, appearing larger than usual because its orbit is close to the earth.

It’s the second of four supermoons in a row in 2024. The first supermoon was in August; the last will be in November.

What are the astrological effects of the lunar eclipse on September 17?

During this eclipse, we’ll want to commit to something that fulfills our higher purpose.

Since the planets Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are alluniting with the eclipse point, we’ll feel compelled to ignite a personal revolution. We will realize that we can change. Think of this as an, "Out with the old, in with the new" kind of moment.

We'll also be weighing what relationships and dreams we want to connect with for the future.

Prepare to feel every emotion in a soulful and abundant way. Be open to the sentiments which are revealed and exposed. Don’t turn away from the truth. Embrace it with welcoming arms.

How the lunar eclipse on September 17 may affect your sign

Aries

Tune into your intuition during the lunar eclipse. You may uncover truths about yourself and others at this time, allowing you to understand situations better. Journal your dreams and visions to see how they add up in the future. They could unlock self-discoveries important to your personal development.

Taurus

There is no space in your life for fair-weather friends who only use you to be their bridge over troubled waters, which is why you are keeping your peer group small. Connecting with those that have proven to be your true pals will bring you joy and a sense of comfort.

Gemini

Decide what professional projects you wish to invest your time in and what you don’t want to. Think about how these endeavors will lead you to your professional goals and then insert the appropriate amount of energy into them. Practical thinking in your career leads you toward your current goals.

Cancer

You’re opening your mind to new possibilities, which include exploring distant places out of your comfort zone. Plan your next vacation with friends and family — or at least start dreaming about it.

Leo

The past several months have been exhausting. Now you’re feeling the effects of everything you’ve taken on. Allow yourself to have R&R to decompress and rejuvenate your senses. The more time you give yourself to heal, the easier it will be to take on the world.

Virgo

If you’ve been waffling back and forth about making changes in relationships, the eclipse gives you the confidence and strength to do have hard conversations. You'll find that doing so helps give you a sense of where you stand.

Libra

Finding structure in your everyday endeavors is challenging. However, the lunar eclipse pushes you to find constructive routines that keep you on schedule. You won’t feel as though you’re lost in the days.

Scorpio

It might be hard to garner your creativity, but that means you should look deeper within to exhibit your artistry. Let your talents unfold and in time you’ll be able to have it shine. Everything unfolds at once, so wait for the right moment for your gifts to be seen.

Sagittarius

You’re turning an emotional corner that is allowing you to understand matters from a different perspective. You may feel as though your foundation is shifting, allowing you to take steps towards rebuilding dynamics with others. A fresh take is what you need to release the past and bring in newness.

Capricorn

There's a lot on your plate right now. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in taking care of matters. Needing assistance doesn’t make you inferior —it makes you smart. You can't do it all on your own, Capricorn!

Aquarius

Think about ways that you can bring in abundance. If you’re up for a raise, you might want to discuss the next steps with management to ensure you’re receiving what you deserve. Welcome in gain.

Pisces

You have the rare opportunity to make significant changes in your life by releasing old patterns and outdated ways of thinking that have been holding you back. Doing so will give you the chance to evolve and grow at your own pace and time during the lunar eclipse.