Super Hunter's Moon tonight will be brightest of 2024
There's also the possibility to see the "comet of the century" - Comet A3 ☄️
Last updated 17th Oct 2024
Last Thursday evening saw the skies over Northern Ireland shine with the Northern Lights, and tonight it looks like we’re in for another treat…a Hunter Super Moon.
Tonight’s full moon, (appearing on Thursday 17th October), is set to be the biggest supermoon of the year so far.
Supermoons happen when the moon is closest to the Earth, giving it a larger appearance than normal.
Why is it called Hunter's Moon?
Each moon's name has something to do with that particular time in the year.
September's Harvest moon received its name because farmers depended on the full moon to harvest crops.
October's Hunter's Moon was given its name because it was at this time when hunters gathered meat for the long winter ahead.
June's Strawberry moon received its name because many strawberries were commonly harvested at that month.
How to see the tonight’s Hunter Super Moon:
The best time to catch a glimpse of a full moon is just after the sun goes down, which should be around 6.20pm tonight.
The Met Office suggests that the weather should remain dry for most across Northern Ireland tonight. However western areas will see clouds develop later with rain that could make visibility difficult.
Comet A3 👇
This week marks the last opportunity to see the "comet of the century", before it disappears for another 80,000 years.
Experts say they best way to see the comet is by studying the western sky in the late evening. The comet's path will look like it's following the Sun as it sets.
Take a look at Northern Ireland’s five-day forecast:
This Evening and Tonight: A dry evening with clear periods and winds falling light for a time. Then western areas clouding over during the night with rain and freshening winds, Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Friday: Dry start on east coast otherwise cloudy with outbreaks of rain accompanied by strong southerly winds. Some heavy rain later, then turning clearer with winds easing in the evening. Maximum temperature 15 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Dry with sunny spells on Saturday. Showers or longer spells of rain Sunday with gales or severe gales. Then sunshine and scattered showers on Monday, less windy.
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