The full moon will be a big ‘Hunter’ moon tonight. Now is the time to see it and what it means

The full moon in mid-October just strikes in a different way. It’s like the night sky sets the perfect mood for a spooky season. This month’s offering is known as “The Hunter’s Month,” but it doesn’t stop there. This is also a supermoon month. Let’s dive into the moon, what this means, and how you can see the Super Hunter’s Moon rising tonight. (Thursday, October 17)

Moon sign for sad news

Many believe that the Moon has an influence on human behavior. This has even entered our language. The Latin word for Moon is luna, which can be found in words like “lunacy” and “lunatic,” meaning that the Moon is responsible for making people crazy. Although this has never been scientifically proven, many horror stories use this as a guideline.

The concept of werewolves takes this idea to an extreme. These animals are normal people most of the time during the month but when the full Moon comes they turn into monsters. This concept dates back to Ancient Greece and is found in the writings of the historian Herodotus. Roman writers Ovid, Virgil, and Pliny the Elder continued the tradition. The history of the werewolf has continued to evolve throughout history. From The Silver Bullet to It’s duskHollywood loves to cry for the moon.

What is Hunter’s Moon?

Full moons occur once a month. Each one gets a name from the Farmer’s Almanac. The book draws inspiration from Native American and Colonial American sources. Hunter’s Moon was a name used by the Algonquin people.

October is the month when wild animals grow up to survive the winter. This makes it a good time to hunt those wild animals so that people can get through the cold winter months. It is also known as the Falling Leaf Moon by the Anishinaabe people and the Snow Moon by the Haida.

What is a supermoon?

The term “big moon” is not a formal astronomical term. It’s a fun nickname when the Moon’s elliptical orbit is at its closest point to Earth during a full moon. This makes the natural satellite appear larger and brighter and occurs three or four consecutive times a year. According to NASA, October will be the third of the four months of 2024. It’s arguably the best you’ll see because it’ll be the closest full Moon this year.

What is the best way to see this special event?

The ideal time to see the full moon is just after sunset. Keep your eyes down on the Eastern horizon to see the magic. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary but will improve your view if available.

Full moons always appear larger at moonrise and moonset. Our brain plays tricks on us, creating an optical illusion. To see the exact moonrise and moonset times in your area, use this handy tool from Time and Date.