October Will Feature a Super Moon and 2 Meteor Showers [Updated]

Autumn is commonly referred to as "meteor shower season" since it has the highest number of meteor showers of any season.

October alone will have two spectacular light shows (one of which is the Draconid meteor shower, which occurred in the second week of the month), as well as one of the brightest full moons of 2024.

October will feature a super moon and 2 meteor showers

• Oct. 7-8: Draconid meteor shower

The second week of the month began with the Draconid meteor shower, the first since mid-August. It was active from October 6 to October 10, peaking on the night of October 8.

• Oct. 17-18: Super Hunter Moon

The first full moon of the fall will be one of the brightest of the year, with a supermoon lighting up the night sky on October 17 and 18. 

This will be the third of four consecutive supermoons in 2024, appearing somewhat larger and brighter than a typical full moon.

Super Hunter Moon

• Oct. 20-21: Orionid meteor shower

The mid-October Orionids are traditionally one of the greatest meteor showers of the season; however, this year's extravaganza may fizzle rather than sizzle due to another celestial sight in the sky.

According to the American Meteor Society, in 2024, the nearly full moon "will severely hamper views of this display" during the night of October 20 into the early morning of October 21.

Onlookers should still be able to see a few shooting stars throughout the night, particularly after midnight local time. 

Experts recommend gazing at dark areas of the sky where the moon is not visible to increase your chances of observing meteors.

Read more:

• A La Niña Winter Is Coming. What You Should Know About It

• 2024 United States Grand Prix F1 Weather Forecast