The Hunter's Moon rose on Thursday (Oct. 17), becoming the biggest and brightest full moon of the year and wowing skywatchers around the globe with a spooky pre-Halloween show.

The full moon in October is also known as the “hunter’s moon” because it marks the beginning of the hunting season, signaling to hunters to begin preparing for colder conditions, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The “hunter’s moon” follows the “harvest moon,” a moon phase that signals the best time for harvesters to reap their crops.

Thursday's clear night sky was illuminated by the brightest supermoon of the year. October's full moon is known as the Hunter's Moon. Photographers from Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire and Berkshire were on hand to capture the lunar event.