Tonight, skywatchers are in for a treat as the October full moon, known as the Hunter’s Moon, will rise as a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter than other full moons this year. The moon will be fully illuminated on Thursday, October 17, at 7:26 a.m. EDT, and will continue to appear full through Friday, offering an impressive view.
This Hunter’s Moon is the third of four consecutive supermoons. Its name, first recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1710, comes from its significance in hunting traditions, as animals were more visible after fields were harvested and leaves fell, making it easier for hunters to spot them. It is also known by names such as the Travel Moon, Dying Grass Moon, and Sanguine or Blood Moon.
Adding to tonight’s celestial display, the Orionids meteor shower and Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will also be visible.
According to Earth.com, “Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has been on an 80,000-year long odyssey from the outermost regions of our solar system…although its closest Earth pass was on October 12, it remains visible for the remainder of the month.”
Hunter’s supermoon, a comet, and Orionids meteors are sharing the sky this week: This week, the October sky is treating us to the Hunter's supermoon, a rare comet, and the Orionids meteor shower. https://t.co/jqt8Wj0DnY #EarthDotCom #EarthSnap #Earth pic.twitter.com/LW0p2Ermhc
— Earth.com (@EarthDotCom) October 15, 2024
The Orionids meteor shower, made up of dust from Halley’s Comet, is best seen early in the morning before dawn, with streaks of light igniting the sky as meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds up to 148,000 miles per hour.
In North Carolina, weather permitting, all these events will be visible throughout the week, promising an unforgettable week of stargazing.
