Full Hunter's Moon Will Bring Jupiter Into View, How To Watch The Spooktacular Event
The October Hunter's Moon might also be called the Falling Leaves Moon, the Drying Rice Moon, or the Freezing or Ice Moon, with the name Migrating or Travel Moon indicating it is time for birds and animals to make their southern migration. This year's Hunter's Moon will have a special guest in the cool night sky as Jupiter will shine brightly alongside it.
The name Hunter's Moon can be found as far back as 1710 in the Oxford English Dictionary. It has many different meanings around the world. According to NASA, for Buddhists, this Moon marks the end of Vassa, the three months of fasting for monks tied to the monsoons. In Laos, the full moon corresponds with Boun Suang Huea, or the Boat Racing Festival.
Jupiter should be easy to spot with the unaided eye as it will outshine most other stars in the night sky. It is extra bright as it is nearly at perigee, or its closest point to Earth, for 2023. If the weekend weather does not cooperate, Jupiter will continue to be visible after sunset above the eastern horizon through November.
So, if weather permits, head outdoors to try and catch a better view of the gas giant as it travels across the night sky alongside the Hunter's Moon this weekend. Skywatchers may even be able to see some of Jupiter's moons with the aid of a pair of binoculars or telescope, as they appear as tiny points of light along an invisible tilted line.