October's full moon is coming soon to Michigan skies, but it'll be another dozen-odd years before it coincides with Halloween for a spooky, illuminated night sky.
The full moon won't last until Halloween — it's set to peak in the early morning, at 12:12 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 26, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Clouds are expected across the state early Monday, and in some areas, rain or fog, per local National Weather Service offices, likely to hamper visibility, though you may see the moon appear full in the days leading up to and following its peak.
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If you're waiting for a full moon to appear on Halloween, Michigan won't see one until 2039 — 13 more years to wait, as the occurrence comes
once every 18 to 19 years, per the Old Farmer's Almanac. The last full moon on Halloween was in 2020. And for all the "Hocus Pocus" fans, the Halloween full moon is long rumored to bring all the witches out for spooky season.
Here's what to know about the hunter's moon.
Will there be a full moon on Halloween?
No, the moon will no longer be full on Halloween. The moon will have shifted to its waning gibbous phase by Oct. 31.
When will the hunter's moon peak?
The hunter's moon will peak at 12:12 a.m. on Oct. 26, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Why is it called the hunter's moon?
The name hunter's moon comes from the mid-fall transition from farming to hunting, as the post-harvest clearing of fields and the seasonal falling of leaves from trees lead to greater wildlife visibility for hunters, per the Old Farmer's Almanac. Further, the full moon offered hunters additional evening hours as it illuminated the sky.
To Michigan's Anishinaabe peoples, the full moon is also known as the falling leaves moon, Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies noted.
What year will the next full moon appear on Halloween?
There are 13 more years until we see another full moon on Halloween, in 2039, per the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Is the hunter's moon a supermoon?
No, the hunter's moon will not be a supermoon.
How rare is a full moon on Halloween?
Pretty rare. A full moon on Halloween occurs every 18 to 19 years.
How far away from the Earth is the moon?
The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles.
At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it's at apogee.
When the moon is at perigee, or closest to Earth, it's 225,623 miles away.
When is the next full moon?
The beaver moon, a supermoon, will peak in Michigan skies Nov. 24.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Will the full moon come on Halloween in Michigan? When to expect peak
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