In total, for 2020, we’ll have 13 full Moons, including 2 two Supermoons, and a rare Halloween Blue Hunter’s Moon on October 31st. It’s rarer in more ways than you may realize! This is the case for October 2020: we had a full Moon on Thursday, October 1st, which was the Harvest Moon, and again on Saturday, October 31st—a Halloween full Hunter’s Moon in all time zones (the Moon turns full at 10:49 a.m. EDT), making this a super fun rare treat.
When we think of “All Hallow’s Eve,” many of us conjure up terrifying images of werewolves, goblins, zombies, and other scary things that go “bump” in the night, all lit up by a spooky full Moon. But how common is a Halloween full Moon? Apparently, not very.
Scarcity
Blue Moon Definition: For more than half a century, whenever two full Moons appear in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second full Moon is christened a “Blue Moon.” When you look at the full Moon on Halloween night, it won’t appear blue in color but you’ll be looking at something pretty uncommon.
A Full Moon on Halloween occurs roughly once every 19 years—a pattern known as the Metonic Cycle.
Fun Fact: Any time the Moon is technically “full” on October 31st (as it will be this year), it would also have to be a Blue Moon because the lunar cycle is only 29.5 days long.
When’s the Next Halloween Full Moon? According to astronomers, we will all see a 100%-illuminated Halloween full Moon (after 2020) in the years 2039, 2058, 2077, and 2096 (note the 19-year pattern). (Source: Farmers’ Almanac)
Something to Look Forward To
The rare Blue Moon happening this Halloween is something to look forward to. Normally, Halloween officially kicks off the holiday season but this year our holiday season is going to be unlike ever before. We hope you can stay cheerful and safe this Halloween whether you chose to stay home, trick, or treat or attend a small gathering. In light of the Coronavirus and health advisories, the annual Truckee Halloween Parade has been canceled. As always, our priority is the health and well-being of our community and of our visitors.
