PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 25, 2026 —
Looking for something fun to do this week that costs nothing, works for every age and needs only a clear sky? Step outside after sunset. October's full Moon, which some traditions call the Hunter's Moon, appears on Monday, Oct. 26, according to NASA's October skywatching guide.
Why "Hunter's Moon"?
NASA says the name comes from the seasonal practice of hunters relying on bright moonlight to track game as autumn fields grew bare and daylight faded. It is a nickname, not a scientific term. The science is simpler: a full Moon happens when the side of the Moon facing Earth is fully lit by the Sun.
Is it a supermoon?
No. NASA's list of upcoming supermoons names Nov. 24 and Dec. 24, 2026. A supermoon, NASA explains, is a full Moon that coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its slightly oval orbit, a point called perigee. NASA notes that "supermoon" isn't an official astronomical term. At its closest, a full Moon can look up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest full Moon of the year. That difference is hard to notice with your eyes alone, so don't worry about missing out this month.
A Halloween bonus
If clouds roll in Monday, there is still a show. NASA says that leading up to Halloween the Moon will still be shining as a waning gibbous, meaning more than half lit but shrinking each night. That gives trick-or-treaters a little extra natural light.
What you might have missed this month
October has been a busy month overhead. NASA's guide listed:
- Jupiter "disappearing." Before dawn on Oct. 6, the Moon passed in front of Jupiter, hiding it for about an hour. Astronomers call that an occultation.
- The Draconids. This meteor shower peaked the evening of Oct. 8 and is named for the constellation Draco, the dragon.
- The Orionids. Peaking Oct. 21, these meteors come from debris shed long ago by Halley's Comet. NASA estimated about 3 to 6 meteors per hour in suburban areas.
How to make it a family night
- No gear required. NASA says sky events like these can be enjoyed with just your eyes. Binoculars are a fun extra.
- Give your eyes time. NASA's tip for meteor watching, find a dark spot and let your eyes adjust, works for Moon-gazing too.
- Look low and east around moonrise. That's when the Moon sits near trees and rooftops, and many people say it looks bigger. That's an illusion, not a change in size.
- Coming up: Mark Nov. 24 on the calendar for the next supermoon.
Florida's flat horizons and beaches make good viewing spots. Check your local forecast and moonrise time before you head out.
Sources
- NASA, "Disappearing Planets, Dragon Fireballs, Hunter's Moon Fill October's Spooky Skies," Oct. 5, 2026: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/watch-the-skies/2026/10/05/disappearing-planets-dragon-fireballs-hunters-moon-fill-octobers-spooky-skies/
- NASA Science, "Supermoons": https://science.nasa.gov/moon/supermoons/
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