THIS
STORY LAST UPDATED:
11 October 2003 1515 BST
The
Hunters' Moon |
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Hunters' Moon is ideal for hunters shooting migrating birds
in Northern Europe. |
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Old
Moons, Milk Moons, Hay Moons, Blue Moons and Harvest Moons..
But this month it's the turn of the Hunters' Moon... |
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There
is a full moon heading our way this month. Not any old full moon
you understand but a Hunter's Moon.
Hunter's
Moon
At
0827 on Friday 10th the moon will show all of its face to us and
if skies are clear there will be lots of moonlight.
This is why, of course, it is known as a Hunter's Moon. Plenty of
moonlight is ideal for hunters shooting migrating birds in Northern
Europe.
The
Moon's phases
There
are so many phases of the Moon that hold particular interest for
us. Its constantly changing appearance has been observed by humankind
since the dawn of civilisation.
The Moon rises and sets every day, just like the Sun. At the time
of the new moon it rises and sets at about the same time as the
Sun.
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| Most
full moons are given names... |
As
the days pass the Moon is said to wax i.e. it grows bigger as it
rises later each day and sets later each night.
At the time of the full moon the Moon rises as the Sun sets and
sets at about the same time as the Sun rises.
When the moon takes on the appearance of a semicircle it is said
to be a quarter moon, whilst between a quarter moon and a full moon
there is said to be a gibbous moon.
The
Full Moon
The
full moon seems to have been of particular significance throughout
the ages.
Most full
moons are given names. The old Moon occurs after Yule; the Milk Moon
in May; the Hay Moon in July.
The full moon which lies closest to the autumn equinox is known as
the Harvest Moon. Traditionally, this allowed harvesting of summer
crops to go on well into the night.
Autumn full moons tend to rise in the evening and because of the low
arc the Moon appears to make through the night sky, it appears bigger
and brighter than at other times of the year.
The Hunter's Moon is the full moon that follows the Harvest Moon.
Just when you think you have every type of moon covered along comes
the Blue Moon but I will save that for another time….
Richard
Angwin
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