Hunter Moon 2022: The October full moon will illuminate the skies on October 9 and 10. Also known as the Hunter Moon, the October full moon will appear the brightest at 4:55 pm EDT on Sunday, October 9 (2:25 am IST on Monday, October 10 in India). The Hunter Moon will appear full through Tuesday. 


A full moon is the phase of the Moon during which people on Earth can see the Sun's illumination of the entire day side of the Moon. At the peak of the full moon, the Moon appears opposite the Sun in the Earth-based longitude. 


The Hunter Moon is also known as the Travel Moon, Dying Grass Moon, Sanguine Moon, or Blood Moon. 


When And How To Watch The Hunter Moon 


One does not require special equipment such as telescopes to observe the October full Moon. People who wish to see the Hunter Moon must go to an elevated region, or to an open field with a clear view of the horizon. For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, the Hunter Moon will be seen towards the east following sunset, and will shine brightly all night. Close to sunrise, the Hunter Moon will set in the west. 


While the unaided eyes are enough to enjoy the spectacle, a pair of binoculars will provide a stunning view of the Hunter Moon.


People can also watch the livestream of the October full moon online on this link.


Why The October Full Moon Is Known As The Hunter Moon


The Hunter Moon is the full moon that occurs after the Harvest Moon. The Oxford English Dictionary used the term "Hunter's Moon" for the first time in 1710. According to the Farmer's Almanac, the deer are fattened during this month, indicating the time to hunt. Also, the harvesters have reaped the fields, because of which hunters can easily see the animals that have come out to gather the leftover grain from the harvest. 


History Behind The Other Names For Hunter Moon


In the 1930s, the Maine Farmer's Almanac, an annual American periodical, started publishing Native American names for full moons. The Algonquin tribes in what is now the northeastern United States called the October full moon the Travel Moon, the Dying Grass Moon, or the Sanguine or Blood Moon. According to some sources, the names Dying Grass, Sanguine, and Blood Moon are related to the changing colours of leaves with the onset of fall, NASA says on its website. 


Meanwhile, other sources suggest that the names Sanguine and Blood Moon are associated with hunting to prepare for winter. 


Since birds and other animals migrate during this time of the year ahead of winter, the October full moon is also called the "Travel Moon". Also, the more northern tribes move down from the mountains for winter. For instance, both the Iroquois and Algonquin tribes used to hunt in the Adirondack Mountains, located in what is now Northern New York, during the summer time, but left in the fall to avoid the harsh mountain winters. 


What Is The Moon Illusion?


The phenomenon of the Moon appearing bigger during moonrise and moonset when it is still low on the horizon, is known as Moon illusion. Scientists believe that the Moon appears bigger during moonrise and moonset because of the human eyes playing tricks.


Some scientists believe that it is possible the brain compares the Moon with distant objects on the horizon, including buildings, which tricks the mind into thinking that the Moon is much larger.


More About Full Moons


Full Moons occur every 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and three seconds. The interval between two Full Moons is calculated based on the time required by the Moon to orbit Earth and complete one lunar phase cycle, which is measured from one New Moon to the next. 


As many as 12 Full Moons occur in a calendar year. When the Earth is located directly between the Sun and the Moon, a Full Moon occurs. The Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun.


Sometimes, we can get two Full Moons in a single month. This happens because sometimes, the Moon may take less than a month to complete a lunar cycle. 


This causes 13 Full Moons to occur. The extra Full Moon is referred to as the 'Blue Moon'. 


When Is The Next Full Moon?


The next full moon will occur on November 7 and 8. The November full moon is known as the Beaver Moon, Frost Moon, and Mourning Moon. Interestingly, the Beaver Moon will coincide with a full lunar eclipse.