Arab Weather - The Earth will witness, next Thursday, the appearance of the "Hunter's" moon , which will reach the full moon stage and continue for three days, to be the largest and brightest moon of the year 2024. The moon will appear bright and clear on the night of October 17 , as it reaches the closest point in its orbit around the Earth, making it fully lit and distinctive in the sky.
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Full Moon Calendar 2024 We will witness 12 full moons, including 4 supermoons
The next full moon, which is a supermoon, is known by several names, including:
It coincides with the beginning of several religious and cultural occasions, including the Hindu festival of Chard Purnima, as well as Buddhist occasions such as the end of Vasa and Bhavarana.
The full moon will appear on the morning of Thursday, October 17, 2024. This moon will be the third in a row of supermoons, and it is the brightest by a small margin. Since this moon follows the Harvest Moon, it is also known as the Hunter’s Moon. The earliest use of this term dates back to 1710, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Historically, the October full moon was given this name because the fall of leaves and fattening of deer made it a good time for hunting.
In the 1930s, the Maine Farmer's Almanac first published names for full moons, which trace their origins to Native American tribes. The October full moon has names such as the "Travel Moon," the "Dying Grass Moon," and the "Blood Moon." These names reflect the transitions of autumn, as leaves change and die as winter approaches. Moon names may also be related to animal migrations and tribal preparations for winter.
In Hinduism, the full moon is celebrated as Chard Purnima, a harvest festival marked by several rituals and ceremonies. It is also known by other names such as Kumara Purnima and Kojagari Purnima. This moon is considered a sacred time for celebrations ranging from agricultural to religious.
For Buddhists, this moon marks the end of Vasa, a three-month fasting period that coincides with the monsoon. This period ends on Pavarana, a holy day when many Buddhists celebrate with special ceremonies.
In Myanmar, the next full moon coincides with the three-day Thadingyut Festival of Lights, also known as the Lighting Festival. This event is a major festive occasion in the country, with homes and temples decorated with lights to mark the occasion.
In Sri Lanka, this moon is called Phap Poya, an important Buddhist event that precedes the Kathinna festival. During this festival, gifts are given to monks, especially new clothes, and for this reason the lunar month is sometimes known as the “clothes” month. This is a time for giving and spiritual reflection.
In many traditional lunar calendars, the full moon falls around the middle of the month and this moon coincides with the middle of the ninth month of the Chinese year, known as the "Month of the Dragon", and also with the month of Rabi' al-Akhir in the Islamic calendar, which is the fourth month of the Islamic year.
As is customary in many cultures, people are encouraged to wear festive clothing in honor of the full moon. This is a great time to enjoy the harvest, remember ancestors, and enjoy family activities such as outdoor camping.
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Your guide to watching the fall night sky
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Sources:
NASA
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