Halloween full moon 2020: what does the first Halloween full moon in two decades mean?

Halloween 2020 is going to be a little different, and not just because of the pandemic. Why? Well, for the first time since 2001, a full moon is set to fall on the 31st October, meaning we could be in for the spookiest Halloween in almost 20 years. 

The full moon will be the second to appear this month, making it a 'Blue Moon' as the first lit up the sky on 1 October.

Halloween full moon 2020: what is a blue moon?

Personally, we feel like this is a creepy call for werewolves, who'll appear in flocks and take over the world. Kidding... But seriously, it wouldn't be the craziest thing to happen in 2020 at this point.

According to according to EarthSky.org, the moon won't actually be blue despite its name unless dust and smoke particles of a certain size appear and scatter red light around it, which can create a blue-ish look. So if you aren't terrified of what it may bring, then it's definitely worth getting a glimpse of it. But judging by the reaction to the lunar event on Twitter, many of us are. 

"A full moon on Halloween? Everything’s going right this year," one person tweeted sarcastically. 

Similarly, another wrote: "the blue full moon on halloween is literally “once in a blue moon.” and ya’ll know how thin the veil is on halloween.. things will get weird."

We wonder what else this year has in store? 

What is the next full moon on Halloween after 2020?

If you forget to look up at the sky this Halloween, you'll have a while to wait until the next Halloween full moon. Experts have revealed that it will be the only Halloween full moon we get until 2039 - so mark your calendar!