October Hunter's Moon to be brightest supermoon of 2024 in spectacular cosmic display

Next week, sky enthusiasts will be treated to the most magnificent supermoon of 2024 as the Hunter's Moon takes center stage in the night sky.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 17, when the Hunter's Moon will emerge just above the horizon, offering a stunning view from Earth. Although the supermoon is slated to hit its peak at 7:26 a.m., it won't be visible then since it'll still be beneath the horizon line.

The Hunter's Moon, steeped in centuries of tradition, is the full moon that follows the autumnal equinox and the September Harvest Moon. Due to the moon's closer proximity to Earth, supermoons appear more luminous and larger, and October's promises to be the most spectacular display of the year thus far.

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A supermoon occurs when the moon is at one of its nearest points to Earth during a full moon phase.

NASA says the moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle but an ellipse, causing the distance between the moon and Earth to vary from about 226,000 miles to 251,000 miles. Space.com reports that the moon averages a distance of 239,000 miles from Earth, but the Hunter's Moon will cozy up much closer at approximately 222,055 miles.

Supermoons are a rare celestial event, gracing our skies only three or four times a year. Each supermoon is unique. Astronomers define a full moon as "super" when it is at least 90 percent as close to Earth as it gets in its elliptical orbit.

For the optimal viewing experience, forecasters suggest looking up after dusk when the moon graces the evening sky. The supermoon's impressive size and luminosity signal its proximity to our planet during this event.

During a supermoon, the moon appears about 7 percent larger than a typical full moon. The Hunter's Moon is especially important due to its timing within the year.

Space.com explains: "With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, also other animals that have come out to glean and can be caught for a Thanksgiving banquet after the harvest."

Additionally, the Hunter's Moon is occasionally called the Sanguine or Blood Moon, a nod to its connections with hunting, death, and the autumnal shift in leaf colors.

Indigenous groups across North America have various names for the Hunter's Moon. According to The Farmers Almanac, the Ojibwa people, feeling the chill of the season, dubbed it the Freezing Moon.

The Dakota named it the Drying Rice Moon, a nod to their post-harvest rice preparation for winter.

The forecast for October 17 predicts clear skies, providing optimal viewing conditions for those eager to see the supermoon. Meanwhile, the last supermoon of 2024 is anticipated next month, with predictions pointing to its peak on November 15.