October’s Full Moon, Hunter’s Supermoon Rises in the Sky – NBC Chicago

If you were awake early Wednesday morning, you may have caught a glimpse of October’s supermoon — and it happens to be the largest full moon of 2024.

The full Hunter’s Moon, a supermoon, set early Wednesday morning. The peak should last until Thursday. According to Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, it is the “next full moon” of the year.

“Last month’s full moon was about 223,000 miles from Earth, which is significantly closer than the average Earth-moon distance of 239,000 miles – making it a supermoon,” the eagle said. “This month’s full moon will be even closer to Earth than last month’s.”

The Eagle added that a full moon is estimated to appear “up to 30 percent brighter and nearly 15 percent larger than a full moon” when it is furthest from Earth.

If you didn’t make it on Wednesday, you still have a chance on Thursday. Here’s what you should know about the Hunter’s Moon.

When will the supermoon peak?

The Hunter supermoon began setting at 5 a.m. Wednesday at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. It can be viewed until Thursday morning, with peak lighting scheduled for 6:26 a.m. Thursday. Clear but cold skies were expected for Wednesday and Thursday.

Where does the name “Hunter’s Moon” come from?

“When the leaves fall and the deer fatten up, it’s time to hunt!” NBC 5 meteorologist Alicia Roman said of the name “Hunter’s Moon.”

According to the Royal Museum Greenwich, the “Hunter’s Moon” was so named by Native Americans because it provides hunters with longer periods of night to hunt prey during the autumn months.

Other cultures have called the moon the “Journey Moon” and the “Moon of the Dying Grass,” according to the website.

What makes this month’s “supermoon” so special?

According to NASA scientists, the moon will reach perigee, its closest point to Earth in its orbit around the planet, on Wednesday night.

About 11 hours later, the full moon will occur at about 6:26 a.m. Thursday, making the moon appear brighter and larger than normal.

What is a “supermoon”?

According to experts, a “supermoon” occurs when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. According to NASA, this distance is approximately 221,938 miles.

A “supermoon” appears slightly larger and significantly brighter in the sky than a moon at apogee, i.e. at the point in its orbit furthest away from Earth. According to the Adler Planetarium, a “supermoon” can appear up to 30% brighter and 15% larger than a “micromoon.”

This month’s “supermoon” is one of four consecutive events Earth is experiencing, but ultimately it will be next in calendar year 2024.