What Causes a 'Hunters' Moon'?

[garrick92]

Forget the ass-related jokes, buster!

You know the one: a startlingly large and swollen-looking moon, a beautiful deep orangey-gold colour, resembling nothing so much as a freshly-minted 2p coin.

What causes this? I have never read a decent explanation. Actually, I have never read a decent explanation full-stop, but especially in this case ...

 

[Anonymous]

Strictly speaking, "Hunter's Moon" is the traditional name for the second full moon following the Autumn equinox (the harvest Moon is the full moon immediately after the Equinox).
But I know the sight you mean - it's caused by atmospheric refractive effects. I'm sure Rynner will explain further, if need be.

 

[NilesCalder]

It was a real doozy tonight wasn't it!

Niles "I can't belive I just said that" Calder

 

[Anonymous]

you mean the sort where you look up from reading about the "Phobos and Deimos are now orbiting Earth" theory, look out the window and yell "Oh my God!!! Mars has replaced the Moon!!!"

 

[Anonymous]

Is it at all similar to a bomber's moon?

 

[EnolaGaia]

Is it at all similar to a bomber's moon?

Only in the sense it refers to a bright full moon by which may be expected to help hunters / bombers.

A 'Bomber's Moon' referred to any bright full moon during a nighttime bombing raid in WW2. See:

http://lotsofmoons.blogspot.com/2015/02/sf4jcpoao.html

A 'Hunter's Moon' refers to a particular full moon in the autumn.