October’s Hunter’s Moon Marks the Brightest Supermoon of 2024

Simon King, a lead weather presenter, has drawn attention to the exceptional brightness of this month’s full moon, known as the Hunter's Moon. This particular full moon is noteworthy not only for its brightness but also because it is classified as a supermoon, making it the brightest of the year. It is the third of four supermoons occurring in 2024.

The peak of the Hunter’s Moon occurred on Thursday afternoon when it was below the horizon in the United Kingdom. However, observers can still appreciate its luminous and nearly full appearance in the evenings that follow. Full moons each month receive names that are typically linked to natural phenomena relevant to that time of year. October’s full moon, the Hunter’s Moon, is named for the period when leaves fall and animals have gained weight over the summer, which historically prompted an increase in hunting activities.

As noted, supermoons occur when the moon is at or near its closest proximity to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee. On the day preceding the full moon, the moon reached perigee, being roughly 222,055 miles (357,363 km) away from the Earth. In contrast, at apogee, or its furthest point, the moon is approximately 252,088 miles (405,696 km) away. The closer distance results in the moon appearing about 14% brighter and 30% larger than usual.

The phenomenon often referred to as the “Moon illusion” may cause the moon to seem even larger and brighter when observed near the horizon, particularly when visible alongside buildings, trees, or hills. Photographers using long lenses can further enhance this visual effect, giving the impression of an especially large moon.

In the UK, the Hunter’s supermoon was visible rising in the eastern sky at approximately 18:00 BST. The weather conditions on Thursday night were reported to largely favor clear skies across the UK, although western Scotland faced some cloudiness and showers initially. By early Friday morning, however, some regions experienced mist and fog patches.