What you should know about the October 2024 phenomenon

The first full moon of fall – also one of this year's four “supermoons” – rises in the eastern sky today. The Hunter's Moon is the first full moon after the autumnal Harvest Moon in September, which borders the equinox. While the Hunter's Moon will reach its greatest brightness at 7:26 a.m. ET, the moon will then be below the horizon. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends “waiting until sunset to watch it rise and take its place in the sky.”

The names of the full moons are derived from the Almanac, a reference work that has been published regularly since the 18th century. The Almanac, in turn, cites traditions from Native Americans, Colonial America, and other sources with a focus on North America that have been passed down through generations. October's Hunter's Moon was named for the time of year when hunters began gathering game, such as deer, to preserve for the cold winter months. Wild animals are typically fattened to prepare for the season.

The earliest mention of “hunter’s moon” was in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1710.

The next full moon – the Beaver Moon – will occur on November 15th.

More: Keep an eye on the sky: Hunter's supermoon will rise soon

Lunar terms: Your guide to full moons for 2024: supermoons, solstices, equinoxes and more

A look at moon phases

The full moon occurs in the middle of the lunar cycle, when the Earth is directly between the sun and the moon. It takes the moon about 30 days to orbit the Earth, which is the entire lunar cycle.

What is a Supermoon?

When the Moon's orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual, the cosmic combination is called a Supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the moon's orbit is closest to Earth and the moon is full at the same time. This happens when the full moon falls at perigee – the closest point to Earth in its orbit. At perigee, the moon is 221,519 miles from Earth and appears larger and brighter than a normal full moon.

When the Moon reaches its apogee, it will be furthest from Earth at a distance of 252,712 miles. When a full moon occurs while the moon is at apogee, it is called a full moon Micromoon.

Contributor: Doyle Rice

SOURCES USA TODAY reporting; The Old Farmer's Almanac

A look at moon phases

What is a Supermoon?

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