November’s full moon is known as the Beaver Moon and is also a supermoon, meaning it will appear slightly bigger and brighter than the usual full moon.
Although the moon will officially be full on Friday, November 15 at 4:29 PM EST, the moon will also look full and bright all night Thursday and Saturday as it rises in the east around sunset, climbs highest around midnight, and then sets in the afternoon. west at or around sunrise, EarthSky reports.
That means many sky watchers can enjoy one last, spectacular full moon under temperate skies this week, before the winter chill sets in for viewing days in the coming months.
According to Space.com, it is the last of four consecutive supermoons to occur in 2024, following August’s Blue Moon, September’s Harvest Moon and October’s Hunter’s Moon.
The Beaver Moon rises behind Seaside Heights, NJ across Barnegat Bay at Good Luck Point Marina in Bayville, in November 2023.
Leonids, the Northern Taurids meteor also shows a peak
California skywatchers may also witness some celestial activity as the Leonids and Northern Taurids meteor showers peak in mid-November.
The Leonids meteor shower is active all month. According to the American Meteor Society, it will be strongest on the evening of November 16-17. The annual event takes place when Earth travels through the debris field of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Every year the Earth travels through the debris trail and the fragments hit the Earth’s atmosphere. That produces streaks of color and fire in the night sky.
Also visible tonight and this week over Victorville are several comets, asteroids and other planetary wonders; visit TheSkyLive for a detailed overview.
Why is November’s full moon called a beaver moon?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a reference work published since the 18th century, names the various full moons based on names used by Native American, colonial American, and European sources, so that their meanings draw from features of the Northern Hemisphere.
In November, the beaver moon was so named because it marks the time when beavers prepare their homes for winter and also because this was the best time to set beaver traps before the water started to freeze.
Leonid meteor shower 2024: A visual guide to where and when to watch in California
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, November’s moon was called the Beaver Moon, in part because “this was the time for both the settlers and the Algonquin tribes to set beaver traps before the swamps froze over, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs . .”
What is a supermoon?
This month’s full moon will also be a supermoon: when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than normal, the cosmic combo is called a supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth when the moon is full.
This happens when the full moon falls at perigee – the point closest to Earth in its orbit. Perigee is when the moon is 220,000 miles from Earth and appears larger and brighter than a normal full moon.
When the moon reaches its zenith, it is at its furthest from Earth, a distance of 250,000 miles. If a full moon occurs while the moon is at its zenith, it is called a micromoon.
When is the next full moon of 2024?
The next full moon of the year, called the Cold Moon, reaches its peak on December 15. December’s full moon is known as the Cold Moon because it is the time of year when it starts to get cold outside.
The full moon, called the Beaver Moon by some Native Americans, rises above a rocky canyon wall in Dinosaur National Monument, a recognized Dark Skies park, known for the absence of artificial light, allowing visitors to see the night sky in its true nature. glory.
How many supermoons will there be in 2025?
Supermoons only occur three to four times a year. In 2025 there will be three supermoons:
Contributors: Emily Barnes, New York Connect team; Jordan Green, Memphis commercial call
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: November’s full moon is a supermoon, beaver moon; best time to see it
