PHOTOS: Hunter’s Moon shines brightest in Thursday evening’s supermoon spectacle

NEW YORK – On Thursday evening a supermoon will grace our sky and will be a real eye-catcher.

The Hunter’s Moon, the largest full moon of the year, shines brightest after sunset.

The Hunter’s Moon, which rises this week, will be the brightest supermoon of the year

Images from China overnight offer a glimpse of what U.S. viewers can expect.

The full Hunter’s Moon rises in the night sky over buildings on October 16, 2024 in Weihai, Shandong Province of China.

(Yang Zhili/VCG/Getty Images)

The Hunter’s Moon is a supermoon because it occurs at perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth. This is the third of four consecutive supermoons and is expected to be the brightest, although only by a small margin.

While the moon appeared full earlier this week, it was officially at its fullest on Thursday at 7:26 a.m. EDT. However, to witness its stunning glow in North America, you should wait until Thursday evening after sunset.

New mini-moon is expected to orbit Earth, but won’t stay in the neighborhood for long

The Hunter’s Supermoon will rise near Lancaster, California on October 16, 2024.

(Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Named after the Harvest Moon, the Hunter’s Moon has been known since at least 1710, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

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A 96% illuminated Hunter’s Moon rises over the Brooklyn Bridge as the sun sets on October 15, 2024 in New York City.

(Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

The next full moon, the Beaver Moon on November 15th, will also be a supermoon.