Official Name of the October Full Moon
The full moon in October is most commonly called the Hunter's Moon in North American tradition. It follows the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. The name Hunter's Moon was historically used to mark a period when hunters gathered meat for the winter. This full moon is not tied to a single calendar date and shifts each year based on lunar cycles. The U.S. Naval Observatory tracks moon phases and provides official full moon times.
Different cultures use other names for the October full moon, such as the Travel Moon or the Dying Grass Moon. The Farmer's Almanac lists these traditional names alongside the Hunter's Moon. The full moon is defined astronomically as the moment when the Moon is opposite the Sun in ecliptic longitude. The exact time is published in Coordinated Universal Time and converted to local time zones. For current phase data, see the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Dates, Visibility, and Sky Conditions
The Hunter's Moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, giving it a longer period of visibility after dusk. This early rise reduces the gap between sunset and moonrise, which is helpful for evening activities. Sky conditions, latitude, and atmospheric clarity affect how bright and large the Moon appears to the naked eye. Light pollution in cities can reduce perceived contrast compared to rural areas.
Timeanddate.com provides moonrise and moonset times for specific locations on the date of the full moon. The Moon's angular size varies slightly because its orbit is elliptical, not perfectly circular. Perigee, the closest point to Earth, can make the Moon appear marginally larger, though this is not the same as a supermoon. For real-time tracking, see Timeanddate.com.
Cultural and Financial Relevance
The Hunter's Moon has appeared in financial calendars and seasonal marketing campaigns, especially in retail and outdoor industries. Some companies reference the full moon in product launches or seasonal promotions tied to autumn themes. The SEC requires public companies to disclose material events, and unusual lunar cycles are not considered material unless tied to a specific operational impact. For financial market disclosures, see the SEC.
Space exploration timelines sometimes align with lunar phases for launch planning and mission design. NASA and private space firms consider lighting conditions and orbital mechanics when scheduling missions. The full moon can affect visibility for astronomical observations and certain types of scientific instruments. For current NASA lunar exploration details, see NASA.