This year’s Hunter Moon is also a supermoon, which happens when the moon is closer to Earth than normal. This celestial phenomenon occurs a few times during each lunar cycle because the moon’s orbit is elliptical, meaning there are intervals when Earth’s only permanent natural satellite is closer or farther from the planet.

October’s supermoon will be the biggest, brightest supermoon of the year.

The Hunter’s Moon is the first full moon after the autumnal equinox, which occurred on September 22 this year. The lunar event marks the changing of the seasons. The name comes from the indigenous people, who took advantage of the bright appearance of the moon as hunters prepared for long winters.