From Supermoons to Eclipses: Top 6 Moon Events to Watch with Your Kids in 2024
At Moonrocket, we’re obsessed with lunar events, naturally. Tracking the moon’s phases is an excellent starting point for sparking your child’s interest in astronomy. It’s a hands-on and visual experience that brings the vast wonders of the cosmos right into their nightly routine.
Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about what’s going on with the Moon in 2024.
1. Full Moon
The full moon shines brilliantly in our night sky due to a very specific alignment in our solar system. In this cosmic arrangement, the Earth, Moon, and Sun line up, with the Earth in the middle.
During a full moon, the side of the Moon facing us is completely lit up by the Sun’s light, making it appear as a bright, circular disk in the sky. This is because the Moon doesn’t shine on its own; it acts like a mirror, reflecting the Sun’s light back to us. This celestial event, which occurs once every month, presents a perfect moment to engage your child in the fascinating mysteries of outer space, igniting their curiosity and wonder.
In 2024, the Moon will be full on January 25, February 24, March 25, April 23, May 23, June 22, July 21, August 19, September 18, October 17, November 15, and December 15.
2. Supermoon
A supermoon is like the full moon’s more spectacular cousin. A supermoon happens when the full moon is extra close to Earth in its orbit.
Think of the Moon as following a path around Earth that’s shaped more like an oval than a perfect circle. Sometimes, the Moon is closer to us, and other times, it’s farther away. When a full moon lines up with the point where it’s closest to Earth, called ‘perigee,’ it appears bigger and brighter in our sky – that’s a supermoon!
There will be three supermoons in 2024: September 18, October 17, and November 15. The September supermoon is sometimes called a Corn Moon, because its annual appearance coincides with harvest time in North America.
3. Blue Moon
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’? It’s a way of saying something is particularly rare, and it actually comes from a special event in our night sky.
A blue moon is an unusual occurrence when we get an extra full moon in a season. Normally, each season has three full moons, but because a full moon appears every 29.53 days, sometimes a season ends up having four full moons. This extra full moon is what we call a blue moon. This doesn’t happen very often – on average, only once every 2.7 years.
Be sure to look up at the night sky on August 19th to see a spectacular blue moon!
4. New Moon
During part of the lunar cycle, there’s a phase when the Moon seems to disappear completely. This happens when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, so the side of the Moon that gets sunlight is facing away from us, and the side facing us doesn’t get any sunlight, so it's not visible from Earth.
While a sky without the Moon sounds as unappealing as an ice cream sundae without a cherry on top, it’s actually a very special occasion that the Moonrocket team looks forward to. Nights with a new moon are especially dark, making them perfect for spotting a universe of cosmic wonders right above our heads.
Venture outside with your little stargazer during this year’s new moons on January 11, February 9, March 10, April 8, May 8, June 6, July 5, August 4, September 3, October 2, November 1, December 1, and December 30.
5. Partial Lunar Eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse is a captivating celestial event where the Moon dances through Earth’s shadows. It occurs when the Moon glides into Earth’s partial shadow, known as the penumbra, and only a part of it sweeps through our planet’s darkest shadow, the umbra.
During this type of eclipse, you’ll see a segment of the Moon gradually darken, creating a striking contrast on its surface. This event is widely visible and can be enjoyed from numerous locations around the planet, including most of North America, on March 25 and September 18.
6. Total Solar Eclipse
Get ready for an astronomical spectacle this Spring – a total solar eclipse visible across North America! Last witnessed coast to coast in 2017, this rare event is a must-see. As the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, it will completely obscure the Sun, briefly turning day into night.
The path of totality, where the eclipse can be fully experienced, stretches from Texas to Maine, offering prime viewing in cities like Austin, Dallas, and Cleveland. If you’re not on this path, you’ll still enjoy a stunning partial eclipse.
This total solar eclipse is a fantastic educational and awe-inspiring opportunity, especially as the next one visible in the contiguous U.S. won’t occur until 2044. Prepare for safe viewing with special solar glasses and engage your children in this mesmerizing cosmic event, happening on April 8.
Fun Activity for Kids: Create a Moon Journal
Tracking the moon’s phases can be a delightful adventure for you and your child. Start by setting up a nightly moon-watching routine from a favorite spot, like your backyard. Together, sketch the moon’s shape on a calendar each evening – crescent, half, full, and so on. Encourage creativity in the drawings!
As the days pass, casually chat about why the moon looks different, touching on how it reflects sunlight. You could even snap photos of the moon each night to create a fun photo journal. When you reach the full moon, celebrate! Maybe have a special snack under the moonlight or a small full moon party.
At month’s end, look back at your calendar to see the lunar journey you’ve documented. This simple, shared activity is not only educational but also a charming way to connect with your child and the rhythms of the night sky.
Your Complete Calendar of Lunar Events in 2024
January 11: New Moon
January 25: Full Moon
February 9: New Moon
February 24: Full Moon
March 10: New Moon
March 25: Full Moon, Partial Lunar Eclipse
April 8: New Moon, Total Solar Eclipse
April 23: Full Moon
May 8: New Moon
May 23: Full Moon
June 6: New Moon
June 22: Full Moon
July 5: New Moon
July 21: Full Moon
August 4: New Moon
August 19: Full Moon, Blue Moon
September 3: New Moon
September 18: Full Moon, Supermoon, Partial Lunar Eclipse
October 2: New Moon
October 17: Full Moon, Supermoon
November 1: New Moon
November 15: Full Moon, Supermoon
December 1: New Moon
December 15: Full Moon
December 30: New Moon
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