If you had to pick just one full moon to see at moonrise during 2024, it’s October’s “Hunter’s Moon.”
The tenth full moon of 2024—and the first of fall in the northern hemisphere, the “Hunter’s Moon”— is also known as the “Falling Leaves Moon” and the “Blood Moon.”
Here’s everything you need to know about it, including exactly when, where and how to see it at its best from where you are:
When Is The ‘Hunter’s Moon?’
The “Hunter’s Moon” will turn full at 11:26 UTC/7:26 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 17. From North America, the best time to see it will be at moonrise during dusk later that day.
Best Time To See The Full ‘Hunter’s Moon’
A full moon looks best when it appears on the eastern horizon just after the sun has set in the west. It will look more prominent than usual and be a beautiful, muted orange. The best time to view it will be a few minutes after moonrise where you are, though exactly where will depend on your location.
Thursday, October 17
- In New York, sunset is at 6:13 p.m. EDT, and moonrise is at 6:14 p.m. EDT.
- In Los Angeles, sunset is at 6:17 p.m. PDT, and moonrise is at 6:26 p.m. PDT.
- In London, moonrise is at 5:52 p.m. BST, and sunset is at 6:04 p.m. BST.
Friday, October 18
- In London, sunset is at 6:01 p.m. BST, and moonrise is at 6:10 p.m. BST.
How To See The Full ‘Hunter’s Moon’
Get somewhere high up that faces east, or visit an east-facing coast, both of which will give you a clear view of the horizon—and the best views of the rising “Hunter’s Moon,” clear skies allowing. Unaided eyes are perfect, though a pair of binoculars will give you a stunning close-up.
Why The ‘Hunter’s Moon’ Is 2024’s Best ‘Supermoon’
The “Hunter’s Moon” will be the closest and largest of four “supermoon” full moons in 2024. It will be 222,055 miles (357,363 kilometers) from Earth.
A supermoon—also known as a perigee full moon—is slightly bigger and brighter than the average full moon. The moon’s orbital path around Earth is a slight ellipse, so there’s a near-point (perigee) and a far-point (apogee) every month.
Astronomer Fred Espenak defines a supermoon as a perigee full moon occurring “within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.” A supermoon can appear to be about 10% larger in apparent size. A supermoon generally appears brighter, which is easy to notice if you regularly observe the moon.
When Is The Next Full Moon?
The next full moon after the “Hunter’s Moon” will be the full “Beaver Moon” at 21:28 UTC/4:28 p.m. EST on Friday, November 15—the second full moon of fall and the eleventh of the 12 full moons in 2024.
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Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
