The 'Brightest' Moon Of The Year Will Rise Over California This Week

CALIFORNIA — A full moon is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17. But it isn't just any old moon, it's the Hunter's Moon — a supermoon that is said to bring early light to aid harvesting and hunting, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

The moon, which always comes after the Harvest Moon, will rise around 6:25 p.m. in the Los Angeles area and around 6:36 p.m. in the Bay Area on Thursday. And as the moon looms over the horizon just after sunset, it will appear bigger and may even glow orange — fitting for the Halloween season.

"It will be below the horizon, so wait until sunset to watch it rise and take its place in the sky," according to the Almanac.

The Hunter's Moon is one of four supermoons that appear in California. At its nearest point, it will be 222,055 miles from Earth, making it the closest orbiting moon of the year.

"This year, it’s also the biggest and brightest Supermoon—so that should be quite a sight! See the meaning of the Hunter’s Moon and special viewing tips," according to the Almanac.

This moon has been called the full Hunter's Moon because it was once considered to be a sign for hunters to begin their work in preparation for the cold winter season. Since it follows the Harvest Moon, hunters could also more easily find animals that emerge at night. The almanac says foxes and wolves can also be spotted to come out around the same time to look for prey.

Other names for the Hunter's Moon are the Blood Moon or Sanguine.

According to the Almanac, both the Harvest and Hunter's moons are unique for their connection to the autumnal equinox, an astronomical event. Most other full moons are related to folklore or restricted to a single month.

Some years, the Hunter's moon fluctuates between November and October, depending on when the Harvest moon arrives.