October Supermoon: The October full Moon this year promises an extraordinary sight. This full Moon will serve not only as the traditional Hunter’s Moon but also as a supermoon, enhancing its brightness and size slightly compared to typical full Moons. In addition to being a visual treat, this particular full Moon coincides with Kojagiri Purnima, or Sharad Purnima, a festival celebrated in India marking the harvest season.
Observed on the full Moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin, Kojagiri Purnima holds cultural significance for many, symbolising prosperity and celebration under the radiant autumn Moon.
In India, Kojagiri Purnima tithi will begin at 08:40 pm on October 16, 2024 — with moonrise at 05:24 pm — and end at 04:55 pm on October 17, according to Drik Panchang.
In many parts of the world, the full Hunter's Moon will be visible only on October 17.
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Why Is October Full Moon Called The Hunter's Moon In West?
Nicknamed the Hunter’s Moon, this October full Moon harks back to a time when hunters would make use of the bright moonlight to spot their prey after harvest. With fields bare after the season’s final reaping, animals preparing for hibernation became prime targets, and the moonlight aided hunters in stocking up for the cold months ahead.
While each full Moon of the year bears a unique name — like the Harvest, Corn, or Flower Moon — these names reflect cultural or seasonal markers rather than differences in appearance.
What sets this Hunter’s Moon apart in 2024 is its status as a supermoon, the third of the four occurring this year.
During a supermoon, the Moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth, known as perigee, making it appear marginally larger and brighter than usual. This proximity, however, only slightly alters its size and brightness, meaning the difference is mostly imperceptible to the naked eye. The technical term for this phenomenon is ‘perigee syzygy Moon’ or 'perigee new/full Moon', referring to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon in a straight line, as desribed by NASA.