October’s Hunter’s Moon, also known as a supermoon, will be visible this week on Oct. 17.
For locations west of the International Date Line, the full moon will be seen late Wednesday night, and early Friday morning for places eastward from New Zealand.
“This will be the third of four consecutive supermoons and the brightest by a small margin,” said NASA’s Gordon Johnston.
The Hunter’s Moon is the first full moon after September’s Harvest Moon, closest to the autumnal equinox.
Why Is It Called The Hunter’s Moon?
The term “Hunter’s Moon” was first recorded in 1710 in the Oxford English Dictionary, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The name Hunter’s Moon signifies the start of hunting season and the need for hunters to prepare, gather, and store food for the upcoming winter.
What Is a Supermoon?
The moon’s orbit around the Earth is an ellipse, bringing it closer and farther from Earth. The moon’s distance to Earth varies depending on its position in the orbit and the time of the month. The furthest point in the ellipse averages around 253,000 miles from Earth, while the closest point is around 226,000 miles on average, according to NASA.
A supermoon occurs when the full moon is at its closest point in orbit to Earth, appearing slightly brighter and larger than a regular full moon.
