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Look up this week for the most spectacular full moon of 2024, known as the Hunter's Moon. This week’s full moon is not just any moon; it's the third supermoon of the year. It will be the biggest and brightest one yet.

According to NASA, Supermoons occur when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, called perigee, making it appear "up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year." 

This supermoon will be visible on Wednesday night, October 16, when the moon comes within 221,938 miles of Earth at 8:48 p.m. EDT. While the moon officially turns full the following morning at 7:26 a.m., the best time to see it at its largest and brightest will be on Wednesday night.

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Supermoon Rising

Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to Earth, and they typically appear up to four times a year, around 29.5 days apart. While the size difference may not be noticeable to the naked eye, when a supermoon rises or sets close to the horizon, it can appear massive. Experts believe this effect is due to the moon’s proximity to nearby objects like buildings, causing our minds to assign it larger dimensions.

Details of a Hunter’s Moon

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the October full moon is called the Hunter's Moon because it traditionally signaled the time for hunters to prepare for the winter season by gathering food. It was also known as the Sanguine or Blood Moon, associated either with the hunting season or the changing colors of autumn leaves.

Many cultures named full moons throughout the year to keep track of time, planting seasons, and other important events. These names come from traditions in Native American, European, and Colonial American times.

Best Moon Viewing

The best time to photograph the Hunter’s Moon is during moonrise or moonset, at the golden hours of dawn and dusk.

Photographers are advised to use a zoom lens, tripod, and plan carefully to capture the beauty of the moon against the landscape or cityscape for dramatic shots.

The last supermoon of 2024 will be the Beaver Moon, set to appear on November 15, 2024, at 4:29 p.m. ET.