If you caught the moon last night, you might have noticed how bright it was.
The full moon in the UK peaked on Thursday afternoon (October 17) when it was below the horizon, but it will still appear brilliant and nearly full for the next several evenings.
Here's important details you need to know about this lunar event.
What is the Hunter’s Supermoon?
The Hunter's Moon is the name given to October’s full moon. It is the third of 2024's four supermoons and the brightest of the year.
The Full Hunter's Supermoon setting behind Stonehenge this morning 🏹🌕🌙😍
— Stonehenge U.K (@ST0NEHENGE) October 17, 2024
The full moon in October is also known as the “hunter’s moon” 📸 credit Nick Bull 🙏#fullmoon #supermoon #supermoon2024 #moon #stonehenge pic.twitter.com/uSHQ5OZqcJ
Managed to get out and take some pictures of the Hunter's Supermoon yesterday evening. It was huge! Photos don't really do it justice but I did my best. And if you are now singing 'Clouds Across the Moon' don't blame me, I'm not responsible, take it up with The RAH Band pic.twitter.com/lGWOenWqPU
— Maxime Anancites (@MaximeInnocens) October 18, 2024
The Hunter supermoon last night pic.twitter.com/Pg217ANnmd
— It's Me, R.J.T 🏴 (@wandering_rjt) October 18, 2024
Full moons are named after possible natural events that occur throughout that month.
The full moon in October is referred to as the Hunter's Moon because it coincides with the beginning of the fall foliage and the thinning of summertime vegetation in preparation for the winter months.
Thus, this time of year would have seen an increase in hunting in ancient civilisations.
The Hunter's Moon gets its warm tint by being so near to the horizon, according to EarthSky writer Deborah Boyd.
“The orange colour of a moon near the horizon is a true physical effect. It stems from the fact that, when you look towards the horizon, you are looking through a greater thickness of Earth's atmosphere than when you gaze up and overhead.
“The atmosphere scatters blue light – that's why the sky looks blue. The greater thickness of atmosphere in the direction of a horizon scatters blue light most effectively, but it lets red light pass through to your eyes. So a full moon near the horizon, any full moon near the horizon, takes on a yellow or orange or reddish hue.”
If you look to the horizon at sunset tonight, you’ll see the Hunter’s Supermoon rising. The full moon is at perigee, which means it’s closer to Earth than usual, and will appear brighter and larger in the sky.
— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) October 17, 2024
This is a photo of it I captured of it this morning! pic.twitter.com/uTa30E0Muo
October’s Full Hunter’s Moon, casting its radiant glow as the year’s brightest Supermoon, illuminating the night sky with its celestial brilliance! 🌕(sped up x3) #HuntersMoon #FullMoon #MoonHour #Moon #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/H4Vopd8fGS
— 🚀🌱Ryan 📷🔭 (@vipey1) October 18, 2024
What is the moon tonight?
The moon tonight (October 18) will not look like the Hunter’s Supermoon, but you can still expect a nearly full and bright moon.
When is the next full moon?
The Beaver Moon, which falls on November 15, is the next full moon and corresponds with the time when beavers begin to hibernate in their lodges in preparation for winter.
In order to catch a good sight of the next full moon, we suggest using binoculars, from which you’ll see the entire moon at once.
You’ll get a better sight if you have a telescope, where you will be able to spot mountains and valleys.
