Wondering about the next full moon or why tonight’s moon looks orange? Here’s what to know and when to see the bright hunter’s supermoon of 2025.
The moon appears orange because its light, reflected from the sun, travels through a denser part of the Earth’s atmosphere when the moon is low on the horizon which is similar to how sunsets appear orange. There can also be the presence of particles, smoke, or dust in the atmosphere that can make the moon appear more intensely orange or even red.
The next full moon will be the iconic October hunter’s moon and it will be the first supermoon of 2025, making it the largest and brightest full moon of the year, illuminating the sky for several nights. Here’s what to know and when to watch.
When is the next full moon 2025?
The next full moon will be the hunter’s supermoon, set to rise on Monday, Oct. 6, with peak illumination at 11:47 p.m. ET. It will rise low on the horizon and unlike other full moons, it will rise at about the same time for several nights.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon happens when the moon’s orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time the moon is full. According to NASA, at approximately 226,000 miles from Earth, the full moon appears brighter and larger than a regular full moon, hence the term supermoon.
This October supermoon will drift over the horizon around sunset and the illusion of a larger and brighter orange color moon will appear because of how close it is to the earth.
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Why is it called the hunter’s moon?
The hunter’s moon name comes from the traditional hunting season, as the brighter lunar light allowed hunters to track and gather game in preparation for the frigid days and nights of the winter to come.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, October marked the season in the Northern Hemisphere, where the falling leaves and lasting moonlight made it easier to see and hunt animals at night and the brush is not as thick making hunting and tracking easier.
The term hunter’s moon traces back to 1710, albeit it is also known as sanguine or blood moon, also referencing the blood from hunting or the color of changing autumn leaves.
What are the current moon phases?
🌓 First quarter: Sept. 29
🌗 Last quarter: Oct. 13
When is the November full moon?
The November full moon of 2025, the beaver supermoon, will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Is there a full moon tonight? What to know about the hunter’s supermoon