Look up tonight: October’s full moon is for hunters

This evening, the night sky is helping to set a spooky mood for the upcoming Halloween festivities later this week.

Just after midnight (12:12 a.m. ET on Monday, October 26), the Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination. Here’s everything you need to know about this luminous orb so you can be the most informed person at your office.

What exactly is a full moon anyways?

Much like Picasso or moody teenagers, the Moon goes through phases. Unlike the artist and hormonal youths, the Moon’s are more predictable and reliable. The Moon itself doesn’t change, but our view of the orb shifts because of its orbit.

Moonlight is actually sunlight reflected by the satellite. When the Earth is sandwiched between the Sun and Moon, a full moon occurs. (When all three line up perfectly, it’s called a lunar eclipse, but that’s another story entirely.) During a full moon, the half of the orb facing Earth is completely lit up by the Sun.

Why is it called the Hunter’s Moon?

Full moon names are based on Native American and historical tradition. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recorded many of these monikers, further cementing their place in history.

The Hunter’s Moon describes the time of year after the harvest where people prepared for the upcoming cold winter by hunting game.

Why isn’t it called the Harvest Moon?

Sometimes the October full moon can be known as the Harvest Moon. This is not the case for 2026. The Harvest Moon is the closest full moon to the fall equinox, so this year September’s offering won out.

When will the next full moon land on Halloween?

According to NASA, a full moon on Halloween happens around every 19 years. The last time this occurred was 2020, which means we will have to wait until 2039.

Halloween full moons are also blue moons, which means two full moons occur in the same month.

Are there any other celestial events to look forward to?

The night sky always has something up its sleeve. According to NASA, you can look forward to the Geminids Meteor Shower on December 13 through December 14, thanks to asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Additionally, December’s full moon will be a “supermoon” and will illuminate the Christmas holiday.

How can you best view the Hunter’s Moon?

Peak illumination for the Hunter’s Moon occurs on Monday, October 26, at 12:12 a.m. ET. You don’t need to stay up that late. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends viewing it at moonrise on Sunday evening.

This time and date calculator can help you find when that is for your location. Don’t worry too much if you see any vampires, werewolves, or ghosts. They might be getting a head start on their trick-or-treating.

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