The next full moon happens soon. Everything to know about the Hunter's Moon in October
The end of October is treating sky watchers to a heavenly sight: the Hunter's Moon. If you're heading out Saturday to enjoy any Halloween events this weekend, gaze up at the night sky. This is a beautiful celestial event you won't want to miss.
Here's everything you need to know about October's full moon in 2023.
When is the full moon in October 2023?
The next full moon will appear Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, when the moon is fully illuminated and opposite the sun in its orbit around Earth.
This full moon is also a partial lunar eclipse, according to the experts at NASA, an imperfect alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon that results in the Moon passing through only part of Earth's umbra.
Why is October's full moon called the Hunter's Moon?
October's full moon in 2023 is called the "Hunter's Moon," but the name can change from year to year.
A Hunter's Moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, is the first full moon that occurs after a Harvest Moon, which land around the autumnal equinox.
This means either September or October can take on the name "Harvest Moon," and either October or November can be a "Harvest Moon." The last time we had a Hunter's Moon in November was in 2017.
What is a Hunter's Moon?
The name "Hunter's Moon" is believed to originate as a call for hunters to venture out and hunt in preparation for the colder months ahead. Farmers had reaped the fields during the Harvest Moon, allowing hunters a better chance of spotting fattened deer and other game.
When is the best time to see the full moon in October 2023?
Don't wait too long to gaze up at the sky this Saturday. The Hunter's Moon will shine its brightest early into the evening, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Moonrise for the Indianapolis area should happen at around 6:42 p.m., crossing the Meridian at 12:56 a.m. and setting by 7:50 a.m. Sunday.
Is there a Full Moon on Halloween 2023?
There won't be a full moon this year on Halloween. It's a rare occurrence, experts say, that happens only once every 18 to 19 years. And because the last full moon on Halloween happened in 2020, the next one isn't due until 2039.
This year, the moon will be approximately 91% illuminated on Halloween in the Indianapolis area, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.
When is the next full moon in 2023?
For all you Selenophiles out there, only two full moons are left after the Hunter's Moon. You can spot them on Monday, Nov. 27 (The Beaver Moon), and Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 (The Cold Moon).
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John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Full moon: Everything to know about the Hunter's Moon in October 2023
