Hunter's Moon: When, where and how to see supermoon in October

Stargazers are set to see the largest and brightest supermoon of 2024 make an appearance in the sky next week.

Thursday, October 17 will see the Hunter’s Moon show up low along the horizon as we get a glimpse of it in all its glory from Earth . The supermoon is expected to reach its peak at 7.26 am however at that point it will still be below the horizon.

The best time to view it will be after sunset as the moon appears in the evening sky according to forecasters. The sheer size and bright glow of the supermoon are indicators of how close it will be to the Earth at the time.

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The moon is on average 239,000 miles away from Earth, according to Space.com. The Hunter’s Moon is expected to be considerably closer at 222,055 miles.

Earth’s moon appears roughly 7% larger than an average full moon when the supermoon is happening. The Hunter's Moon is particularly significant because of the time of year when it appears. Space.com wrote: “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."

The Hunter’s Moon is also sometimes referred to as the Sanguine or Blood Moon. This is because of its association with death and hunting and the changing colors of the leaves for fall.

In Indigenous groups across North America the Hunter’s Moon also has different names. The cold temperatures made the Ojibwa people call it the Freezing Moon, reports The Farmers Alamanac. The supermoon has also been called the Drying Rice Moon by the Dakota, which refers to the post-harvest process of preparing rice for winter.

Clear skies forecast for October 17 will hopefully provide good viewing conditions for many areas for those hoping for a chance to catch a glimpse of the supermoon. Meanwhile, the final supermoon of 2024 is expected to arrive next month with predictions seeing it come to it's peak on November 15.