This Thursday, October 17, marks the rise of the hunter’s moon—the first full moon of autumn. It will make its appearance in the eastern sky around sunset, and this month’s full moon is noteworthy because it will also be a supermoon.

Although it will reach its brightest point at 7:26 a.m. ET, it won’t be visible then due to being below the horizon; the best time to see it will be at sunset when it rises into the sky, as noted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

The Hunter’s Moon Comes After the Harvest Moon

September’s harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox, while the hunter’s moon is the full moon that follows it.

The term “hunter’s moon” was first recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1710.

Why is it called the Hunter’s Moon?

October’s full moon is named the hunter’s moon because it traditionally marks a time when hunters began preparing for winter by gathering and storing food, as per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“Long ago, Native Americans referred to this bright moon by this name due to clear reasons,” the almanac explains. “Leaves are falling, deer are well-fed, and it’s time to start gathering meat for the coming winter.”

What Makes it a ‘Supermoon’?

A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual.

During a supermoon event, the moon may appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.

According to NASA, “Different sources have slightly different criteria for what qualifies as a supermoon. Since the moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, there are times when it is nearer to the Earth.”

On average, supermoons can look about 7% larger and 15% brighter compared to an ordinary full moon.

This is the third in a series of four consecutive supermoons: the last one will occur on November 15.

Other Names for the Full Moon

In addition to the hunter’s moon, October’s full moon is also known as the falling leaves moon, the migrating moon, the drying rice moon, and the freezing moon.

Four Planets Visible in the Night Sky

Alongside the hunter’s moon, four planets—Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars—will also be visible in the night sky, as reported by Space.com. Their visibility will depend on your location, as they will rise in the hours either before or after the full moon.