Last night's supermoon was the brightest of the year. This is how the world captured the hunter's moon

If you noticed that the moon seemed a little brighter than usual on Thursday evening, you weren't imagining it.

It was a full moon, but it was also a so-called “supermoon,” the third of four supermoons in 2024.

It was called the “Hunter Supermoon” in reference to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere (more on that later).

Thursday night was also the brightest supermoon of the year, and although it was only a fraction brighter, that title was an added incentive for skywatchers to look up.

Here a crowd gathers on Bondi Beach in Sydney to watch the moon rise on the horizon.

How the world caught the supermoon

A supermoon is a phenomenon in which the moon appears slightly larger and brighter than usual.

This happens because the moon orbits the Earth in an oval shape, meaning it is sometimes closer to our planet.

In general, however, one only speaks of a supermoon if it coincides with a full moon phase.

With the right camera lens, a lot of planning, and a little patience, this phenomenon can result in stunning photos.

Here's a look at some photos of Thursday night's supermoon from around the world:

Why was it called the Hunter Supermoon?

This is not an official name, it was just one of his more common nicknames.

In an article for NASA's monthly skywatching guide, former space agency executive director Gordan Johnston explains how some cultures name full moons based on the seasons.

He writes about these names from the perspective of the Northern Hemisphere – where the seasons are opposite to those of us in the Southern Hemisphere:

“According to the Farmer's Almanac, when the leaves fall and the deer are fattened, it is time to hunt,” he writes.

“Since the harvesters harvested the fields, hunters have been able to easily see the animals that come out to collect

“The Maine Farmer's Almanac first published Native American names for full moons in the 1930s. Over time, these names became widely known and used.

“According to this almanac, the Algonquin tribes of what is now the northeastern United States called this October full moon the Traveling Moon, the Dying Grass Moon, or the Sanguine or Blood Moon.

“Some sources indicate that the names dying grass, sanguine and blood moon are related to the turning of leaves and the death of plants at the beginning of autumn.

“Others suggest that the names Sanguine and Blood Moon are associated with hunting in preparation for winter.”

When is the next supermoon?

Friday, November 15th.