Brief
Hunter's Moon reaches full illumination tonight, offers prime stargazing
The October full Moon peaks at midnight on Oct 26, with tips on viewing, its name origins and what to look for on the lunar surface.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The October full Moon reaches 100% illumination at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0412 GMT) on Oct 26, according to Space.com. Stargazers in the U.S. will first see the Moon rise in the eastern sky at sunset on Oct 25.
What happened
At 12:12 a.m. EDT on Oct 26 the lunar disk will be fully illuminated, appearing opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky. The terminator line that normally separates day and night sides will be absent, reducing shadow relief on craters. The Moon will be high enough for observers to view the dark basaltic plains, or "seas," that were formed by ancient lava floods.
What the reports add
Space.com notes that the "Moon Effect" can make the Moon look larger near the horizon, a visual illusion caused by brain perception. After moonrise the Moon may take on a yellow‑orange hue as shorter blue wavelengths are scattered by Earth’s atmosphere. The outlet also describes bright streaks from young craters where subsurface material was ejected during recent impacts.
What was said
No direct quotations were provided; the article attributes all information to Space.com’s editorial team.
How it came about
The October full Moon follows a series of waxing‑gibbous phases documented in Felo’s earlier pieces, such as the NASA tracker showing 99% illumination on Oct 25 and a 65% illuminated Moon on Oct 20. These guides highlighted visible features like Copernicus and Tycho craters, setting the stage for the full‑Moon event.
Key facts
- The October full Moon reaches 100% illumination at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Oct 26, 2026. (space.com)
- U.S. observers can view the Moon rise in the eastern sky at sunset on Oct 25. (space.com)
- The Moon is called the "Hunter's Moon" because it rises after harvest, aiding hunters, per the Old Farmer's Almanac. (space.com)
- The "Moon Effect" may make the Moon appear larger near the horizon. (space.com)
- After moonrise the Moon can appear yellow‑orange as blue light is scattered by the atmosphere. (space.com)
Sources
- [1] space.com — originally reported as “October's 'Hunter's Moon' stalks into the autumn sky tonight: Here's what you need to know”
