The full moon will rise for Halloween 2020 The nearly full moon rises beyond Halloween artwork painted on a building Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Halloween 2020 is set to be extra eerie, as we’re due for a full moon! Although you might always imagine that trick-or-treating on October 31 is always accompanied by a completely round moon, this spooktacular happening only happens about once every 19 years.
Saturday will also be a “blue moon”, although this doesn’t mean the colour will change. This is the name given when there are two full moons in the same month. This really brings meaning to the saying “once in a blue moon”, because a Halloween full moon is so rare.
A beginner’s guide to stargazing in the city
It is also a hunter’s moon – the name given to the full moon that comes after a harvest moon, which is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23). On top of that, it’s a micromoon, which is when the moon is at its furthest point from the Earth.
You may have seen headlines that say this is the first Halloween full moon since 1944. This isn’t quite true. But this is the first time in 76 years that the All Hallows’ Eve full moon will be visible in every time zone on the planet.
What are the full moons called in different months?
And according to the Farmer’s Almanac – a long-running publication that gives long-range weather forecasts, sunrise and sunset times, and planting tips for those working on the land – the next Halloween full moon isn’t due to occur until 2077.
However while you’re spending this weekend, whether it’s with a Zoom costume competition, or socially-distanced camping under the stars, take a moment to look up and take it all in.