October’s Hunter’s Moon, the third supermoon of 2024, will be shining bright in the sky this week. It will be closer to Earth than any other full moon this year, making it a perigean full moon, also known as a supermoon. This means it will appear about 30% brighter and nearly 15% bigger than a full moon at its farthest point from Earth.
The Hunter’s Moon is officially full on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:26 a.m. EDT. You can catch the best view as it rises in the east at moonrise. It will be in the constellation Pisces and will remain bright and full the day before and after as well. Keep an eye out for Saturn and Jupiter near the moon as it rises, adding to the celestial display.
This full moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon because it historically signaled to hunters that winter was approaching. It has Anglo-Saxon origins but has also been called the Falling Leaves Moon and the Blood Moon. Don’t confuse it with a total lunar eclipse, which also goes by the name Blood Moon due to its reddish hue when in Earth’s shadow.
The Hunter’s Moon is also the first full moon of autumn this year, following the fall equinox in September. The next full moon after the Hunter’s Moon will be on Nov. 15, known as the Beaver Moon, the Frost Moon, and the Freezing Moon. This will be the last supermoon of 2024.
Keep an eye on the sky for these celestial events and enjoy the beauty of the Hunter’s Moon this week. And if you want to stay updated on more fascinating discoveries and events in the world of astronomy, make sure to subscribe to receive our newsletter.
