Description

when is the next full moon ?

# **When Is the Next Full Moon? A 2023 Lunar Countdown & Hidden Wonders**

The moon is about to put on another dazzling show, and stargazers are in luck. Mark your calendars: **October 28, 2023**, is the **next full moon**, a celestial event set to shine bright at **4:24 p.m. local time (1:24 p.m. UTC)**. Called the “Hunter’s Moon,” this autumnal spectacle isn’t just a date on a calendar—it’s part of a year filled with lunar surprises like Black Moons, Blue Moons, and Supermoons. Here’s what you need to know.

—

### **Why Mark October 28th? The Hunter’s Moon Explained**

The October full moon is nicknamed the **“Hunter’s Moon,”** a name tied to its historical role in guiding hunters preparing for winter in Northern Hemisphere cultures. Unlike the more celebrated “Harvest Moon,” which is the September full moon, the Hunter’s Moon signals a shift from autumn abundance to winter preparation. This moon appears slightly smaller but just as luminous. Peak visibility occurs not just on the 28th but the nights before and after, with the moon appearing “full” to the naked eye for roughly three days.

—

### **What Happens After October’s Full Moon?**

Once October’s Hunter’s Moon passes, the moon’s phases roll on:
– **November 5**: Third Quarter (waning moon, half-illuminated).
– **November 13**: New Moon (completely dark, perfect for stargazing other celestial bodies).
– **November 20**: First Quarter.
– **The next full moon**: will illuminate the sky on **November 27, 2023**, though specific details vary by location.

—

### **2023’s Lunar Calendar: Rare Moons You Won’t Want to Miss**

This year has been a blockbuster for celestial events. Even if you missed a few, there’s still time to catch or savor their stories:

#### **1. The Rarest of Them All: The Black Moon (May 19, 2023)**

– **What is it?** A Black Moon is a very rare third new moon in a season with four total new moons. This May event marked a celestial quirk that next won’t reappear until 2037.

#### **2. August’s Double Header: Blue and Supermoon**

– **August 30, 2023**, brought a **Blue Moon** (the second full moon in a single calendar month) *and* a **Supermoon** (when the moon appears 30% larger and 14% brighter as it’s near Earth’s closest orbital point, or perigee). September’s October’s and November’s cycles wrap up the year.

—

### **Why Do We Have “Super Moons,” “Micro Moons,” and “Blue Moons?” The Science**

– **Supermoon (Perigee): ~357,400 km away**
– **Micromoon (Apogee: ~405,500+ km away)**
– **Blue Moon**: Typically the second full moon in a month. Though August’s Blue Moon was a rare *second* Supermoon.

—

### **How to Track the Moon for Your Location**

Lunar phases shift depending on your hemisphere and exact location. Use tools like **TimeandDate.com** or **Moongiant.com** to get precise timings for your timezone. For example:
– **Seattle’s 2023 Full Moons** include the February 5 Micro Moon and May’s Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (if it hasn’t happened yet). The user data shows Perth had an eclipse in May.

—

### **Plan Ahead for the Next Lunar Spectacles**

2023’s lunar calendar isn’t over yet! Keep tabs on:
– **November Full Moon**: Expect the November lunar phase around the 27th—mark your calendar.
– **2024 Preview**: TimeandDate and other sites keep updated calendars for next year’s events.

—

### **Final Tips for Observing the Full Moon**

– **Go dark**: Find a light-polluted area for maximum visibility.
– **Lunar Apps**: Download apps like “Moon Phase” or “Stellarium” for real-time tracking.
– **Join a community**: Astronomy clubs or apps like “Astronomy.com” host live watches.

—

### **Stay Moon-Curious: What’s in a Name?**

Each moon has a folkloric moniker—like the February “Snow Moon” or May’s “Flower Moon”—rooted in Native American, Colonial, and agricultural traditions. The October Hunter’s Moon? Its name harks back to hunting season’s peak, when communities would stock winter goods.

—

### **Where to Discover More Lunar Magic**

– **TimeandDate Moon Phases**: Track your town’s exact dates, phases, and lunar eclipses (https://www.timeanddate.com).
– **Space.com’s Full Moon Calendar**: In-dept guides and trivia: https://www.space.com.
– **Moon Giant’s Event List**: Explore Supermoons, eclipses, and more (https://moongiant.com).

**So, when is the next full moon? October 28… but 2023’s lunar calendar still has some firework left. Prepare for November’s Full Moon and remember: Even without a telescope, every moonrise has stories from Earth’s cosmic dance.**

—