The new moon appearing on Saturday paves the way for October's Hunter’s Moon Here’s how

The new moon will rise on Saturday this means the moon will initially remain out of sight before gradually waxing to become October's full moon. Skywatchers will get to see the Hunter’s Moon in about two weeks.

What exactly is a New Moon?

A new moon occurs when the moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun. Sunlight barely reaches the side facing us, so the moon is virtually invisible in the night sky. Over the next two weeks, the moon continues its journey around the Earth, and its illuminated portion becomes increasingly visible.

A full moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the Sun in its orbit around the Earth, and the side facing us is fully illuminated. This is why there is an interval of approximately two weeks between the new moon and the full moon in the lunar cycle.

Why is it called the Hunter’s Moon?

The name is derived from the season. In autumn, fields are left bare after the harvest, and animals emerge to feed on the remaining crop stubble. The bright light of the full moon made it easier to spot these animals, aiding hunters in the dark. This name is often associated with the Farmers' Almanac, which notes that fields were cleared to make it easier for hunters to locate game.

The name has a long history. According to NASA, the first written mention of the Hunter’s Moon appears in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1710.

Harvest Moon and Hunter’s Moon

The Hunter’s Moon is linked to the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox—the time when the duration of day and night is roughly equal. The Hunter’s Moon is the full moon that follows it. Depending on this timing, it may appear in October or November.

What is there to see?

The moon rises at approximately the same time for several nights, keeping the sky bright during the early evening. Near the horizon, the moon may appear larger and more orange in color. This is known as the Moon illusion it is actually a result of how our brains perceive the moon's size relative to trees and buildings, rather than an actual change in the moon's physical size.

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