Stargazers are in for a celestial spectacle this week with the year's largest supermoon, known as the Hunter's Moon, appearing in the night sky.
This marks the third in a sequence of four consecutive supermoons, but it's set to be the highlight, as it will be the closest full moon of 2024, making it the biggest and brightest. The supermoon will peak on October 17, reaching its fullest point just hours after its closest approach to Earth this year.
If you miss this one, don't worry—the final supermoon of the series is coming on November 15.
When Is the Next Supermoon?
The next full supermoon will occur on Thursday, October 17. That night, the moonrise will occur at 6:13 p.m. ET, with the moon setting at 12:23 a.m.
On the West Coast, the moon rises at 6:25 p.m. PDT and sets at 12:27 a.m. If you're up early enough on Thursday morning, viewers on this side of the country will catch the moon at its fullest point, 4:26 a.m. local time.
Where Can I See the Supermoon This October?
A lot rides on the weather when trying to view the supermoon this October. If all goes according to plan, much of the Midwest and Southeastern states should be in for a clear night overhead on Thursday, making the full supermoon visible in all its glory.
Below is a map, courtesy of the National Weather Service, showing the forecast cloud cover on the night of October 17.
How To See the October Supermoon
If the skies are clear, you can enjoy a great view of the supermoon without needing any special equipment. For an even more breathtaking experience, consider heading outside the city to avoid light pollution from buildings and streetlights.
Thanks to an optical illusion, the supermoon looks most impressive at moonrise or moonset when it's near the horizon. When it is framed by landmarks or landscape features, our brains perceive it as larger than it actually is.
Scientists aren't entirely sure why this happens, but photos confirm the moon remains the same size when it's higher in the sky. Still, that doesn't lessen the awe of watching a supermoon rise dramatically on the horizon.
What Is a Supermoon?
"A supermoon is the result of a full moon occurring when the moon is near its closest point to the Earth in its orbit," Anna Gammon-Ross, senior planetarium astronomer at the Royal Museums Greenwich in London, previously told Newsweek.
"This can happen because the moon orbits the Earth on an elliptical path rather than a circular one. As a supermoon means that the moon is a little closer to us, it will appear slightly bigger in the sky."
The moon will be 220,055 miles from Earth during October's supermoon, the closest a full moon will get this year. The satellite's average distance to us is around 240,000 miles, according to Gammon-Ross.
The moon's closest point to Earth is known as perigee, while its furthest is called apogee.
"The term 'supermoon' is a vague, non-scientific term, and so different people define it in different ways," Darren Baskill, a physics and astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex in the U.K., previously told Newsweek.
"One common definition is to say that we have a supermoon when the moon is within 90 percent of its average distance away from the Earth—but which average distance? Some say within 90 percent of the average Earth-moon separation for that particular month, while others say within 90 percent of the average Earth-moon separation for that entire year," Baskill said.
"There is no overall consensus. Depending on which of those definitions you use, you can have three or four supermoons per year. The scientific term for supermoon is perigee syzygy of the Earth–Moon–Sun system, which to me sounds much more exciting."
During a supermoon, the moon can appear up to 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger than when it's at its farthest point, or apogee—which is like comparing the size of a nickel to a quarter. A supermoon is about 8 percent larger and 15 percent brighter than a typical full moon.
Supermoons happen several times a year because the moon's orbit and phases often align. However, depending on how closely the full moon aligns with perigee, its closest point to Earth, some stand out more than others.
The exact distance of perigee can also vary slightly due to the moon's elliptical orbit.
Why Is It called the Hunter's Moon?
The Hunter's Moon follows last month's Harvest Moon and has been known by various names over the years, including the Corn Ripe Moon and the Falling Leaves Moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The term "Hunter's Moon" originates from the Algonquin Native American tribe. In many cultures, this moon serves as a reminder that winter is approaching, signaling an opportune time to stock up on meat.
Other Astronomy Treats This Week, Including the 'Comet of the Century'
As if the biggest and brightest supermoon of the year wasn't enough, there are a couple of other events stargazers in the U.S. should keep an eye out for this week.
First off, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)—dubbed the "comet of the century" by many—is still visible until October 16. It can be spotted with the naked eye just after sunset, though binoculars are recommended to get the best view.
On Monday evening, as the moon approaches fullness, it will meet with Saturn in the constellation of Aquarius. You should also be able to view Saturn with the naked eye, but a telescope or binoculars will be needed if you're to catch a glimpse of its famous rings.
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