Ohio To Get Rare Full Moon On Halloween

OHIO — For the first time since 1944, a full moon will be visible to all Americans, in all time zones, on Halloween.

Ohioans can expect a full Hunter's Blue Moon to make an appearance on Oct. 31...but what's a Blue Moon?

According to the Farmers' Almanac, whenever a month has two full moons, the second full moon is referred to as "blue." October's first full moon will light up the sky on Oct. 1.

"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," the Farmers' Almanac said.

This year's full moon on Halloween is rare, though. The Farmers' Almanac predicts Americans won't get another such occurrence until 2039. Subsequent full moons on Halloween will happen on 2058, 2077 and 2096.

"The good news is that even if the moon is a day or two away from 100% full on any particular Halloween, it can still serve the purpose for a spooky backdrop since most people can’t tell the difference between a 98% illuminated Moon and a 100% "full" Moon (Cases in point: November 2, 2029, and October 30, 2031). Plan your costumes accordingly," the Farmers' Almanac said.

For more information on the full Halloween Blue Moon, visit the Farmers' Almanac website.