What is a supermoon? What time to catch tonight's biggest full moon of the year

Tonight's full moon will be a special view of the largest supermoon of the year.

October's full moon orbits closer to Earth than all the other full moons this year so far, making it a special supermoon that will appear the biggest and brightest of 2024 and linger for several days of viewing.

Also known as the hunter's moon, tonight's full moon is the third of four consecutive supermoons this year.

Here's when you can watch the October supermoon.

When is the full moon in October 2024?

The next full moon will be on Thursday, Oct. 17, with peak illumination at 7:26 p.m. Eastern. It will be below the horizon, so wait until sunset to watch it rise and appear in the sky.

Similar to September's harvest moon, the hunter's moon will rise around the same time for several nights.

• 🌑 New moon : Oct. 2
• 🌓 First quarter : Oct. 10
• 🌕 Full moon : Oct. 17
• 🌗 Last quarter : Oct. 24

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon happens when the moon's orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time the moon is full. According to NASA , at approximately 226,000 miles from Earth, the full moon appears brighter and larger than a regular full moon, hence the term supermoon.

This October supermoon will drift over the horizon around sunset and the illusion of a larger and brighter orange color moon will appear because of how close it is to the earth.

Why is it called the hunter's moon?

The hunter’s moon name comes from the traditional hunting season, as the brighter lunar light allowed hunters to track and gather game in preparation for the frigid days and nights of the winter to come.

According to the Farmer's Almanac , October marked the season in the Northern Hemisphere, where the falling leaves and lasting moonlight made it easier to see and hunt animals at night and the brush is not as thick making hunting and tracking easier.

The term hunter’s moon traces back to 1710, albeit it is also known as sanguine or blood moon, also referencing the blood from hunting or the color of changing autumn leaves.

When is the next full moon in November 2024?

The next full moon, the beaver moon will occur on Friday, Nov. 15. It is the last of the supermoons for 2024.

The supermoons won’t return until October 2025.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What is a supermoon? What time to catch tonight's biggest full moon of the year