Forthcoming Hunter's Moon: Best Viewing direction and Locations

The night sky is all set to deliver an awesome display this week. The Hunter's Moon, the 3rd of four consecutive supermoons in 2024, will be visible on Thursday, October 17. This full Moon will not only appear larger and shinier than usual but also holds importance in various cultures and festivals.

The Hunter's Moon :

Commonly, the Hunter's Moon is the first full moon following the Harvest Moon, named by early English and American farmers for the time when fields were clear of crops, making hunting very simple. The Moon will reach its summit at 7:26 am EDT (4:56 pm IST) on Thursday, but it will look brimming from Tuesday evening through Friday morning, according to NASA.

Just a day prior, on Wednesday, October 16, the Moon will reach its trajectory, the point in its orbit where it is the most close to Earth.

Why Does the Moon Look Brighter During a Supermoon?

The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical—oval-shaped—causing it to be at varying gaps from the planet depending on the month and its spot in that orbit. Distances span from approx 226,000 miles to 251,000 miles, as noted by NASA. The perfect time to view this supermoon is just after dusk when it rises low above the horizon. The Moon will be in view globally, though timing will vary by the locality you are in.

In India, the supermoon will peak at 4:56 pm IST on Thursday, October 17, and will be seen from October 15 till October 18. Star-gazers in New Zealand and regions east of the International Date Line will be able to see the supermoon early on Friday, October 18, while those in the western United States will watch it late on Wednesday night, October 16. The Moon will appear full for about three days.

Cultural Significance:

For Sanatan people, it marks Sharad Purnima, a harvest festival celebrating the end of the monsoon dedicated to the God of the Moon. For Buddhists, it signifies the end of the three-month Vassa, or Buddhist Lent, observed during monsoon.

In Judaism, this full moon coincides with Sukkot, a week-long festival celebrating the harvest and the Israelites' expedition in the wilderness.
In Myanmar, it creases with the Thadingyut Festival of Lights, a celebration welcoming Buddha's return from the heaven.

This year's October's Hunter's Moon promises to be the biggest and brightest display of the year, making it inescapable for skywatchers.

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