Super Hunter's Moon 2024: The moon this week will be brightest and biggest of the year

October's Super Hunter's Moon will be the brightest moon of 2024 and the third supermoon of the year

If you missed the Northern Lights display over the UK last week, don't fret. The next celestial event is just around the corner.

Stargazers will be treated to an incredible lunar phenomenon lighting the night sky this week. On Thursday (October 17), Brits can look forward to October's Hunter's Moon, which will also be a supermoon and the brightest of 2024.

This supermoon will be the third this year, with the fourth and final one scheduled for November. The first two occurred in August and September, reports the Express.

Supermoons happen when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth, making them appear larger and brighter than the average moon. According to NASA, this week's Super Hunter's Moon will be "the brightest by a tiny margin".

The space agency also states: "The Moon will appear full for about three days around this time, from Tuesday evening through Friday morning." To fully appreciate the stunning views of this supermoon, stargazers should find spots with minimal light pollution and clear skies.

Traditionally known as the Hunter's Moon since 1710, October's full moon marked when farmers and hunters would gather as much food as possible before winter arrived. Fields were cleared, and animals emerged, making hunting easier.

Some Native American tribes referred to October's full moon as the Blood Moon, Travel Moon, or Dying Grass Moon, each marking a significant shift in the year.

Why is October's full moon known as a supermoon?

The moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, much like our planet's orbit around the Sun. This oval-shaped path results in the moon being at varying distances from Earth throughout the month, depending on its position in the orbit.

NASA states these distances can fluctuate between roughly 226,000 miles and 251,000 miles. When the moon is closer to Earth during a full moon, it is referred to as a supermoon.

Supermoons happen three or four times annually because the moon's closeness to Earth doesn't frequently coincide with the monthly full moon.

What is a supermoon?

Astrologer Richard Nolle introduced the phrase "supermoon" in 1979 to refer to a full or new moon that occurs when the moon is within 90% of its nearest approach to Earth. During a supermoon, the moon looks bigger and shines brighter than it typically does.

Top tips to see a supermoon:

Find a dark viewing spot: Look for a dark spot facing east, where the moon will rise.

Watch at the right time: The best time to view a supermoon is when it's rising above the horizon, which is when it appears the largest.

Use binoculars or a telescope: These can help you see details on the moon's surface that you can't see with the naked eye.

Watch a live stream: If you can't watch the supermoon in person, you can watch a live stream online from an observatory or on a YouTube channel.