The October Hunter’s Moon reaches peak illumination at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0412 GMT) on October 26, shining opposite the sun as stargazers across the United States catch its ascent in the eastern sky at sunset on October 25, Space reported.
Illuminating Basaltic Plains Without Lunar Shadows
During this peak phase, the shadowy terminator separating the day and night sides of the moon disappears entirely. This absence eliminates the typical shadows that normally throw lunar craters into high relief during waxing and waning cycles. Instead, the flat illumination reveals the dark lunar seas. These extensive basaltic plains were formed billions of years ago when lava flooded impact basins and subsequently hardened.
On the hunt for a full moon? Keep an eye out this weekend! 🌕The Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination late Sunday evening. The best time to view will be shortly after sunset. pic.twitter.com/X56Acn0P7E
Observers using binoculars or telescopes can also spot bright reflective streaks radiating from youthful craters. These features mark the subsurface material excavated and scattered across the lunar surface during past asteroid impacts.
Atmospheric Scattering and Psychological Tricks of the Eye
The moon frequently appears unusually massive when hanging close to the horizon. As Space reported, this visual discrepancy stems from the Moon Effect, a psychological phenomenon where the human brain misjudges the size of the lunar disk when it sits in close visual proximity to terrestrial reference points.
The Moon has impeccable timing. October's full Moon rises tonight, bringing a little moonlit magic to the start of Halloween week.The Moon reaches peak illumination at 12:12am ET (0412 UTC) on Oct. 26. Don't forget to look up! pic.twitter.com/jiyb7M2HSV
In the hour immediately following moonrise, the lunar disk adopts a striking yellow-orange hue. This color shift occurs because the shortest blue wavelengths of reflected light scatter during their oblique passage through Earth’s atmosphere. Astrophotography enthusiasts aiming to capture these colors using standard smartphone cameras face specific optical hurdles, as standard sensors often render the bright disk as an over-exposed white blob. Shooting during the twilight glow against terrestrial silhouettes—while propping the device against a solid object or using a two-second timer to eliminate shutter vibration—helps capture the amber tones more faithfully.
Storm Boelo Disrupts UK Sightings During Taurus Full Moon
While U.S. observers caught clear twilight risings, weather conditions varied sharply across the Atlantic. Storm Boelo brought heavy rain and severe gales to northern Scotland, leaving only brief viewing windows through blustery showers in western Scotland and north-west England. Clearer skies dominated the rest of the UK early in the night before southern cloud cover moved in.
Simultaneously, astrologers and horoscopes tracked the lunar cycle through a different lens. The full moon lands in the earth sign of Taurus, coinciding with Mercury retrograde in Scorpio. This alignment brings a personal matter to a close in the first house of self, testing agreements and nudging individuals to confirm final terms in writing rather than rushing into decisions.
Upcoming Supermoons in the Lunar Calendar
For those clouded out during this weekend’s event, the lunar sequence continues on November 24 with the Beaver Supermoon. A Christmas Eve Cold Supermoon follows on December 24, kicking off a succession of supermoons extending into January and February 2027.
The Hunter's Moon Is Almost Here! 🌕🏹The Full Moon will arrive on October 26, 2026. But you don't have to wait for the exact moment — the Moon will look full and bright from October 25 to 27!🍂 Why is it called the Hunter's Moon? Traditionally, it's the first Full Moon after… pic.twitter.com/1F6hapN8Xg
More on Moon Effect
Keep reading
