The next full moon is the Hunter's Moon. Where and how to see it

The night sky will put on a spectacular display this week. The Hunter's Moon, the third of four consecutive supermoons in 2024, will rise on Thursday, October 17. Not only is the full moon bigger and brighter than usual, but it also has cross-cultural and holiday significance.

The Hunter's Moon

The Hunter's Moon, traditionally the first full moon after the Harvest Moon, was named by early English and American farmers for the time when fields were clear of crops and hunting became easier. The moon will reach its peak at 7:26 a.m. EDT (4:56 p.m. IST) on Thursday, but you can expect it to appear full Tuesday evening through Friday morning, NASA reports.

Just one day before the full moon, on Wednesday, October 16, the moon reaches its perigee, the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth.

Why does the moon appear brighter during a supermoon?

The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical – oval – and positions it at different distances from the planet depending on the time of the month and position in that orbit. The distances range from about 226,000 miles to 251,000 miles, according to NASA.

When and where to see

The best time to view this supermoon is just after sunset, when it hovers low above the horizon. The moon will be visible worldwide, but the timing depends on your location.

In India, the supermoon will peak at 4:56 pm IST on Thursday, October 17, and will be visible in the evenings of October 15-18. Stargazers in New Zealand and areas east of the International Date Line will enjoy the supermoon early on Friday, October 18, while those in the western United States will see the full moon late on Wednesday evening, October 16.

The moon appears full for about three days.

Cultural significance of the supermoon

This October supermoon has significant meaning across cultures:

• For Hindus, this full moon is celebrated as Sharad Purnima, a harvest festival that marks the end of the monsoon and is dedicated to the moon god.
• For Buddhists, it marks the end of the three-month Vassa, or Buddhist fast, observed during the rainy season.
• In Judaism, this full moon coincides with the beginning of Sukkot, a week-long festival that marks the harvest and the Israelites' journey into the wilderness.
• In Myanmar, it overlaps with the Thadingyut Festival of Lights, a celebration welcoming the return of Buddha from heaven.

This October, the Hunter's Moon will provide the biggest and brightest display of the year, making it a must-see for skywatchers.