Daytona Beach, FL - October's full moon, or the Full Hunter's Moon, may appear larger and more orange than a normal full moon due to the fact sunset and moonrise are close to the same time. ERAU Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Dr. Jason Aufdenberg, says that this moon is known by a number of names, including the Falling Leaves Moon.
The Hunter's Moon will brighten the night sky from sunset on Sunday until sunrise on Monday. Aufdenberg said this is because, after the fall equinox, when the moon is full, it's up for more than 12 hours. At moonrise, the moon will appear to be orange. He says that you are looking through 39 more layers of air when you look at the horizon than when you look straight up. Looking through so many layers of air causes the oxygen and nitrogen molecules to displace the blue light from the sun but the red light continues through to the eye which reflects off the moon.
Moonrise on Sunday is at 7:13 p.m. Sunset is at 6:56 p.m.
