Also known as Hunter’s Moon, the phenomenon will peak on October 17th at 13:26 Eastern European Time when it reaches the closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as perigee.
This proximity will make the supermoon appear larger and brighter than usual, making it the “largest” full moon of 2024.
The term supermoon refers to a full moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth.
While October’s supermoon won’t exhibit a red hue, the name “Blood Moon” or “Hunter’s Moon” has historical roots.
It originates from Native American traditions that named the October full moon after hunting season.
With leaves falling and fields reaped, hunters took advantage of the visibility to track game.
The Hunter’s Moon follows September's Harvest Moon, maintaining a centuries-old connection to seasonal agricultural cycles.
The earliest recorded use of "Hunter's Moon" dates to 1710, and the Maine Farmer's Almanac popularized Native American moon names in the 1930s, contributing to the term's widespread recognition.
Although full moons are rarely perfectly full due to the Moon's slight rotation, this supermoon will appear nearly round, illuminating the night sky more intensely than other full moons this year. It’s a rare opportunity to observe a supermoon of this magnitude.
For those hoping to catch the spectacle, the Moon will be most striking at moonrise and moonset, when it appears near the horizon.
