The brightest Supermoon of 2024 will dazzle in Louisiana this week. Here’s when to see it.

This week, Louisiana will witness a bigger and brighter moon. October’s full moon, also referred to as the “Hunter’s Moon,” will coincide with the third Supermoon of the year. 

A Supermoon occurs only when the moon is the closest distance from the Earth. This can make the moon look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter. 

Compared to the super blue moon in August, this Supermoon isn’t the most rare, but it will be the brightest. 

The Supermoon is set to peak Thursday night, though a full moon will appear from Tuesday to Friday, according to NASA.

The Supermoon will rise at 6:26 a.m. on Thursday morning, but will be most visible after sunset in Louisiana.

What is a Hunter’s Moon?

Historically, the October full moon marked the beginning of hunting season, hence its name. Occurring after the Harvest Moon, September’s full moon, hunters waited for the Hunter’s Moon to signify when the fields were bare, and the animals well-fed. 

The term comes from the Algonquin Native American Tribe, and was used by the Old Farmer’s Almanac in the 1930s. 

Since the moon rises at approximately the same time over several nights, this period was optimal for hunters as they began scavenging for the upcoming season. 

This Hunter’s Moon will be the third of fourth consecutive Supermoons this year.