Stargazers are set for a rare treat this weekend when a Full Moon on Halloween takes to the skies for the first time since 1944. The Full Moon on October 31 is what is known as a Hunters Moon – named as such by Native American tribes who would use it as a sign to go hunting and collecting in preparation for the long winter ahead.
The Moon has extra significance as it is a Blue Moon.
While the Moon will not actually be blue, it is called a Blue Moon because it is the second Full Moon of the month, with the first coming on October 1.
NASA explained: “Contrary to its name, a Blue Moon has nothing to do with the Moon having a blue hue.
“However, very rarely there are actual blue-tinted Moons due to particles thrown into the atmosphere by natural catastrophes.
“In 1883, an Indonesian volcano called Krakatoa had an eruption so large that it was compared by scientists to a 100-megaton nuclear bomb.
“Lots of ash from the Krakatoa explosion rose into the atmosphere.
“Many of these ash particles were about 1 micron in size, which could scatter red light and act as a blue filter. This resulted in the Moon appearing blue.”
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When is the best time to see the Full Moon?
According to Time and Date, the Moon is set to rise at 16.53 on Saturday, October 31.
The Moon will be at its peak all night.
The lunar satellite will travel slowly across the sky, setting around 6AM the following morning.
However, as is often the case in the UK in late October, thick clouds have been forecasted, giving onlookers only the occasional glimpse of the Moon.
What are the full moons of 2020?
January 10 – Full Wolf Moon
February 9 – Full Snow Moon
March 9 – Full Worm Moon
April 8 – Full Pink Moon
May 7 – Full Flower Moon
June 5 – Full Strawberry Moon
July 5 – Full Buck Moon
August 3 – Full Sturgeon Moon
September 2 – Full Corn Moon
October 1 – Full Hunter’s Moon
October 31 – Blue Moon
November 30 – Full Beaver’s Moon
December 30 – Full Cold Moon