October’s moon phases will feature the biggest supermoon of the year — the hunter’s moon. Here are the important dates in this moon cycle from .
Oct. 1 to 2: Waning crescent
During the waning crescent moon phase, the bright part of the waning moon shrinks from the third quarter moon until it disappears in the new moon phase.
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Oct. 3: New moon
The new moon occurs when the Moon, Earth and Sun are all in about the same line. From the Earth’s perspective, the Sun is behind the Moon and makes the side of the Moon that faces Earth dark.
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Oct. 4 to 9: Waxing crescent
The waxing crescent moon starts as the Moon becomes visible again after the new moon, when the Sun and Earth are on opposite sides of the Moon, which makes it impossible to see the Moon from Earth.
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Oct. 10 to 11: First quarter
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The first quarter moon phase happens halfway between the new moon and the full moon. The first quarter moon looks like a half-lit circle.
Oct. 12 to 16: Waxing gibbous
The waxing gibbous moon happens between the first quarter moon and lasts until the full moon.
Oct. 17 to 18: Full moon (hunter’s supermoon)
October’s full moon is one of four supermoons in 2024. It will orbit closer to Earth than any of the other full moons this year.
Oct. 19 to 24: Waning gibbous
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The waning gibbous phase is when the illuminated part of the moon shrinks just after full moon and lasts until the third quarter moon.
Oct. 25 to 26: Third (last) quarter
The third quarter moon is when the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the first quarter. It’s the last quarter moon of a lunar month.
Oct. 27 to 31: Waning crescent
During the waning crescent moon phase, the illuminated part of the waning moon shrinks from the third quarter moon until it disappears from view at new moon.
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