Max spookiness coming Halloween weekend, thanks to a full hunter's moon
Calling all witches, wolves and vampires: A full moon is brewing this weekend.
If you're heading out Saturday to enjoy any Halloween events, gaze up at the night sky. October's full moon, also known as the hunter's moon, is expected to cause an eerie sight.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 hunter's moon.
When is the full moon in October 2023?
According to the IndyStar, the next full moon will appear Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, fully illuminated and opposite the sun in its orbit around Earth. The full moon will reach peak illumination at 4:24 p.m. ET, the Old Farmer's Almanac reports.
According to NASA, this full moon is also a partial lunar eclipse, which is defined as an imperfect alignment of the sun, Earth and moon that results in the moon passing through only part of Earth's umbra.
What is a hunter's moon?
A hunter's moon is the first full moon after a harvest moon, which lands around the autumnal equinox, per the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Harvest moons occur in either September or October, and hunter's moons appear in October or November. However, the last hunter's moon to pop up in November was in 2017.
But where did the name "hunter's moon" come from?
It is believed hunters used the full moon as a signal to venture out and hunt in preparation for the upcoming cold winter, hence the term "hunter's moon." During this time, hunters could spot deer and other game more easily because fields had recently been reaped under the harvest moon. Other predatory creatures, such as foxes and wolves, would also come out to hunt their prey.
Sanguine or blood moon are other common names for the hunter's moon. These terms are believed to be derived from the blood of hunting or the changing color of fall leaves.
When is the best time to see the 2023 hunter's moon?
The full moon will reach peak illumination at 4:24 p.m. ET. Because it will be below the horizon, the Old Farmer's Almanac suggests viewers wait until sunset to watch it rise.
Moonrise for the Cincinnati area should happen around 6:36 p.m., crossing the meridian at 12:49 a.m. and setting by 7:42 a.m. Sunday.
Will there be a full moon on Halloween 2023?
There won't be a full moon on Halloween this year, as full moons only occur on All Hallow's Eve once every 18 to 19 years. The last full moon on Halloween happened in 2020, so the next one isn't due until 2039.
The moon will be approximately 91% illuminated in Greater Cincinnati on Halloween this year.
When is the next full moon in 2023?
There will be two more full moons this year, occurring Monday, Nov. 27 (the beaver moon) and Tuesday, Dec. 26 (the cold moon).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Full moon October 2023 date: Will it be on Halloween?
