The hunter’s moon rises behind a gargoyle of Notre Dame Cathedral on October 9, 2022. … [+]
If you had to pick just one full moon to see the 2024 sunrise, it’s October’s Hunter’s Moon.
The tenth full moon of 2024 – and the first of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, the “Hunter’s Moon” – is also known as the “Falling Leaves Moon” and the “Blood Moon”.
Here’s everything you need to know about it, including exactly when, where and how to see it at its best from where you are:
When is “Hunter’s Moon?”
“Hunter’s Moon” will become full at 11:26 UTC/7:26 AM. EDT on Thursday, October 17. From North America, the best time to see it will be moonrise at dusk later that day.
The Best Time to See the Full Moon “Hunter’s Moon”
A full moon is best seen when it appears on the eastern horizon just after the sun sets in the west. It will look more prominent than usual and will be a beautiful, muted orange. The best time to see it will be a few minutes later moonrise where you arealthough exactly where will depend on your location.
Thursday, October 17
- In New York, sunset is at 6:13 PM. EDT and moonrise is at 6:14 p.m. EDT.
- In Los Angeles, sunset is at 6:17 PM. PDT and moonrise is at 6:26 p.m. PDT.
- In London, moonrise is at 5:52 PM. BST and sunset is at 6:04 PM. BST.
Friday, October 18
- In London, sunset is at 6:01 PM. BST and moonrise at 6:10 p.m. BST.
How to See the Full Moon “Hunter’s Moon”
Climb somewhere high that faces east or visit an east-facing coast, which will give you a clear view of the horizon — and the best view of the rising “Hunter’s Moon,” clear skies permitting. Unaided eyes are perfect, although a pair of binoculars will give you a stunning close-up shot.
Why ‘Hunter’s Moon’ Is 2024’s Best ‘Supermoon’
The “Hunter’s Moon” will be the closest and largest of the four “supermoon” full moons in 2024. It will be 222,055 miles (357,363 kilometers) from Earth.
A supermoon—aka a perigee full moon—is slightly larger and brighter than the average full moon. The moon’s orbital path around Earth is a small ellipse, so there is a nearby point (perigee) and a far point (apogee) every month.
Astronomer Fred Espenak defines a supermoon as a perigee full moon that occurs “within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit”. A supermoon may appear to be about 10% larger in apparent size. A supermoon generally appears brighter, which is easy to notice if you observe the moon regularly.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next full moon after the “Hunter’s Moon” will be the full “Beaver Moon” at 21:28 UTC/4:28 PM. EST on Friday, November 15—the second full moon of the fall and the eleventh of 12 full moons in 2024.
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