Temperatures are starting to go down, pumpkin-flavored drinks are back in hand and the moon is getting ready to kick off the fall season with a partial lunar eclipse.
Overnight from Thursday to Friday, the moon will pass into the shadow of the Earth sending part of the world into total darkness.
"This eclipse will occur during the closest full moon of the year (lunar perigee), which results in the name 'Supermoon.' This eclipse will also occur during the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, making this a Harvest moon as well," according to the National Weather Service.
But just like any eclipse, not everyone in the world will get to see it, and it will look different depending on where on the planet you are looking up at the stars.
Here's
what you need to know about seeing the eclipse in Atlanta.
When can you see the lunar eclipse in Atlanta?
The partial lunar eclipse, while not covering the entire moon, is still expected to cover 93% and will make the moon appear almost red in the sky.
Most of the United States will be able to see the eclipse as it passes overhead in the middle of the night, but the best viewing will be in the Midwestern states.
In Atlanta, the eclipse will begin at about 9:20 p.m. on Thursday night (Aug. 27). This occurs when the Earth's penumbra, or the shadow it casts on the moon, starts to touch the edge of the moon's surface.
A lunar eclipse is slow, so it will last for about five and a half hours. The peak, or maximum coverage, of the lunar eclipse will take place above Atlanta at 12:12 a.m. on Friday (Aug. 28), reaching a magnitude of 0.93.
The eclipse will finish around 3 a.m. Eastern Time in Georgia.
What about city lights?
If you live inside the city, it may be a bit harder to see the earlier stages of the eclipse, but you should still be able to experience the full effect later in the evening.
City lights have less of an impact on lunar eclipses than some other astrological events because the moon will be so close to the Earth compared to stars or other planets. While city lights may wash out fainter celestial objects, the moon should shine through just fine.
However, if you want to get a more clear view of the moon and it's surrounding space backdrop, it could be helpful to get outside of the city.
What will the weather be like in Atlanta Thursday night?
Unfortunately, heavy rains and storms are forecast for North Georgia Thursday and into Friday, meaning it may be hard to see the moon this evening.
According to the NWS, North Georgia can expect slow-moving storms throughout the day and going into the weekend as a system settles over the state. Temperatures, however, will be a bit cooler.
There are likely to be breaks in the clouds, though, so it may still be worth staying up to try and catch a glimpse of the eclipse.
To keep track of the storms, here's a look at Atlanta's radar:
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: There's a lunar eclipse tonight. Here's how, when to see it in Atlanta
