October's Hunter's Moon to Illuminate the Night Sky This Weekend
The final full moon before a series of supermoons will be visible from Sunday evening into Monday morning.
October's full Moon, often called the Hunter's Moon, is set to become visible this weekend. Skygazers in the UK can expect to see it from Sunday, October 25, through the early morning of Monday, October 26.
This lunar event marks the 11th full Moon of the year and is the last full Moon before a sequence of four consecutive supermoons begins. While the Moon will officially be full at 04:11 GMT on Monday, it will appear full on both Sunday and Monday nights, offering two opportunities for observation.
During a full Moon, the Earth-facing side of the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun. The Moon is expected to rise in the east shortly after 16:00 GMT on Sunday and set in the west between 07:00 and 08:00 GMT on Monday, with precise times varying across the UK.
Atmospheric conditions can affect the Moon's appearance. When low on the horizon, the Moon may take on an orange or reddish hue due to the scattering of blue light by the atmosphere. This effect allows longer wavelength red and orange light to pass through more readily. Additionally, the Moon may appear larger near moonrise and moonset due to an optical illusion, where its size is perceived in comparison to terrestrial objects like buildings and trees.
While the Hunter's Moon itself is a spectacle, the Orionid meteor shower, which recently passed its peak, may also offer a chance to see shooting stars. However, the increased light from the full Moon could make spotting fainter meteors more challenging.
The tradition of naming full Moons often reflects natural phenomena or seasonal activities. The name "Hunter's Moon" historically relates to the time when hunters would be particularly active, preparing for the winter months. This full Moon is known for its prolonged presence in the sky, similar to the preceding Harvest Moon, providing extended periods of light for hunters.
Weather forecasts suggest that Storm Boelo may bring rain and strong winds to northern Scotland early Sunday night, but viewing conditions are expected to improve as the night progresses. Blustery showers are anticipated in western Scotland and northwest England, with potential brief viewing opportunities between showers. For the rest of the UK, clearer skies are expected early in the night before cloud cover increases from the southwest later.
Following the Hunter's Moon, the next full Moon will be the Beaver Supermoon on November 24, followed by the Cold Supermoon on December 24. The series of supermoons is set to continue into 2027 with full Moons in January and February also being supermoons.