The “full hunter’s moon” observable in the sky from this Wednesday evening

Of the four annual supermoons, the “full hunter’s moon” which is revealed this Wednesday evening and which will be visible for the next three nights, promises to be exceptional. Indeed, this October super moon is the one closest to the earth during this year 2024, at 357,364 kilometers (compared to an average distance of around 384,000 kilometers). On this occasion, the moon appears larger in the sky, brighter, and can even be tinged with orange. A little tip to better enjoy the spectacle: observe the full moon at sunset, when it is close to the horizon.

But what is the difference between a full moon and a super moon? They are simply two versions of the same phenomenon. A full moon appears every twenty-nine days, when the sun, the Earth and the moon are approximately aligned, the visible side of the latter then finding itself completely illuminated. A super moon designates a full moon which takes place when the star is in its position closest to the earth. This happens four times a year.

A super moon and a comet

The full Harvest Moon, visible in mid-September, allowed farmers to harvest late into the night. The full hunter’s moon, observable between October and November, occurs during the hunting season. Still, the sky has decided to spoil astronomy enthusiasts for the next three days.

Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is also nearby. This celestial body discovered last year is now visible in the northern hemisphere after delighting astronomers in the southern hemisphere. Unfortunately, “moonlight will erase part of the comet’s tail, but it’s still worth taking a look after sunset” said Bill Cooke, head of NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office (MEO), to theAssociated Press. Indeed, if super moons occur four times a year, there is a good chance that the comet will never meet your gaze again. The fourth and final supermoon of the year will appear on November 15.