Just in time for Halloween, October will display the final full moon of the month, the Hunter’s Moon. The full October moon is also sometimes referred to as the Drying Rice Moon, Sanguine Moon, and Blood Moon.
Why is it called a Hunter’s Moon?
The Hunter’s Moon generally falls in October, succeeding the autumn equinox “Harvest Moon.” Similar to the Harvest Moon indicating a time of crop sourcing, the Hunter’s Moon aligns with the time hunters begin their quest to prepare for the winter and stockpile food for the colder months ahead.
Where to see the full moon?
The moon will reach peak visibility on Saturday, October 28 around 4:24 PM, according to timeanddate.com. The Hunter’s Moon will maintain 99-90% of its “fullness” through Halloween. The next full moons coincide with the upcoming holidays, falling on November 27 and on December 26.
Autumnal meteor showers to follow
In early November, three meteor showers will also light up the night sky. Make sure to check out the Northern Taurid Meteors from November 11-12 and the Leonid Meteor Shower from November 17-18.
Is it a supermoon?
Despite its captivating glow, the Hunter’s Moon is not a supermoon like the “Super Blood Moon” we might have witnessed last fall. Full moons occur every month, when the moon is fully illuminated. All supermoons are full moons, but not all full moons are supermoons.
A supermoon indicates the proximity of the moon to the earth at their closest point in orbit, scientifically referred to as “perigee.” Reversely, when the moon and earth are at their farthest points in orbit, this is referred to as “apogee” and the moon would be considered a micro moon.