The night sky is about to put on a spectacular show this week. The Hunter’s Moon, the third of four consecutive supermoons in 2024, will rise on Thursday, October 17. The Full Moon is not only bigger and brighter than normal, but also has significance in different cultures and festivals.

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 the fields were clear of crops and hunting became easier. The Moon will 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 will reach 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-shaped), causing the moon to be at different distances from the planet depending on the time of month and its location along that orbital path. Distances range from about 226,000 miles to 251,000 miles, according to NASA.

When and where to watch

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 will differ depending on your location.

For India, the supermoon will reach its peak on Thursday, October 17 at 4:56 PM IST and will be visible from October 15 to 18 in the evening. 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 will appear full for about three days.

Cultural Significance of the Supermoon

This October supermoon has an important meaning in different 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 Lent, which is celebrated during the rainy season.
• In Judaism, this full moon coincides with the beginning of Sukkot, a weeklong festival that marks the harvest and the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness.
• In Myanmar it overlaps with the Thadingyut Festival of Lights, a celebration to welcome the Buddha’s return from heaven.

In October, Hunter’s Moon will offer the biggest and brightest show of the year, making it a must-see for skywatchers.