Lunar event this week: The 'Corn Moon' will fully surface, marked by a global 'blood moon' lunar eclipse

The final full moon of the Northern Hemisphere's summer, affectionately known as the Corn Moon, will grace the skies on Sunday, September 7. This celestial event will be a sight to behold, especially for those in the eastern hemisphere, where a total lunar eclipse will accompany the Corn Moon for some viewers.

This year's Corn Moon has an additional allure, as it will also be a total lunar eclipse for certain regions of the world. The "blood moon" will be visible for an impressive 82 minutes from Australia, Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe during the total lunar eclipse on September 7.

The total lunar eclipse on September 7 will bear a striking resemblance to the total lunar eclipse seen in North America for 65 minutes on March 14, 2025. However, the September eclipse will occur before moonrise in North America.

While it's often called the Harvest Moon, September's full moon is named the Corn Moon this year. The Harvest Moon, traditionally the full moon closest to the equinox on September 22, will not occur until October.

The best time to catch a glimpse of the Corn Moon will be later in the day as it rises in the east at dusk. The increased glare of the full moon as it rises can make it difficult to view directly. However, stargazing binoculars and backyard telescopes can help reveal details on the lunar surface that are not visible to the naked eye when viewing the full moon at moonrise.

Interestingly, the Anishinaabeg people call the September moon "Wabaabagaa Giizis," which translates to the "Changing Leaves Moon." This name aptly reflects the seasonal transition that occurs during this time of year.

As we move into October, the Harvest Moon will take centre stage on Monday, October 6. This year's Harvest Moon, traditionally the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, will be a spectacle not to be missed.

In a unique twist, the waning gibbous moon on Monday, September 8, will have Saturn close by. Saturn will be particularly bright because it reaches its annual opposition - when it's closest to Earth - on September 20.

So, mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable cosmic show. The Corn Moon and the total lunar eclipse on September 7, followed by the Harvest Moon on October 6, promise to be a celestial delight for stargazers worldwide.