November will feature the last supermoon of the year before winter arrives. The fourth and final supermoon of 2024, known as the Beaver Moon, will occur on November 15. This will be the last opportunity for sky gazers to witness a supermoon until late 2025.
The Beaver Moon marks the culmination of a series of supermoons that began with a rare blue supermoon in August 2024. "This month's supermoon will make its closest approach on Thursday, with the full lunar phase the next day," according to reports from The Independent.
Supermoons occur when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing of the Moon around Earth, known as perigee. During perigee, the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. The supermoon will appear about 14% larger and can be up to 30% brighter than average because it will come within approximately 225,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday.
Although supermoons can be up to 30% brighter, scientists point out that the difference in size may be barely perceptible to the naked eye. "Only the keenest observers can discern the subtle differences between a supermoon and a regular full moon," as noted by experts. A supermoon is not actually larger, but it may appear larger due to its closer proximity to Earth.
This year's quartet of supermoons began in August 2024, providing multiple occasions for sky gazers to view them. The August Supermoon was at a distance of 361,970 kilometers (224,917 miles) from Earth. September’s supermoon was 222,131 miles (357,486 kilometers) away, and October’s supermoon was the year's closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. Last month's supermoon was notable for teaming up with a comet, making it 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) closer than this month's supermoon.
Supermoons usually happen only three or four times a year and can occur consecutively due to the Moon's elliptical orbit. The Moon's distance from Earth varies each month, with the closest point called perigee, where it appears larger and brighter, and the farthest point called apogee. Supermoons are fairly common since they occur when a full moon happens near its perigee, which occurs every year and causes more intense tides due to greater gravitational attraction on the planet.
The full moon in November is traditionally known as the Beaver Moon. The name "Beaver Moon" goes back to Native American, Colonial American, and European folklore and is the most well-known name for the full moon in November. According to the Farmer's Almanac, the name is because during this month, beaver traps were set before swamps and rivers froze with the arrival of winter. During this time, beavers were preparing for the cold by building dams and shelters, and November is when they tend to start taking shelter in their lodges after storing up enough food for winter.
For those planning to observe the Beaver Moon, NASA offers several tips for observing the Moon at its fullest. The most basic tip from NASA is to plan ahead. Considering lunar phases and weather conditions allows one to choose where to go for the best experience. It is recommended to seek places away from light pollution and check the weather on those nights to avoid any interference when observing the Moon.
Another tip is to observe the Moon during its rise or set. Just after rising or before setting, the Moon is closer to the horizon, creating an optical illusion that makes it appear larger and of a warmer tone. Moving away from the light pollution of cities improves visibility and allows capturing finer details on the lunar surface.
The supermoon rises after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and before the Leonids become more active, with a significant peak of activity for the Leonids starting November 17. This timing provides an excellent opportunity for sky watchers to enjoy both the supermoon and meteor showers.
After November's full moon, there won't be another supermoon until next October. In 2025, there will be three supermoons beginning in October, with another set starting in November 2026.
More than a scientific term, "supermoon" is a popular term used to describe this celestial event. A supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing of the Moon around Earth, which can also happen during a new moon, referred to as a new supermoon.
Sources: AP, The Independent, La Voz del Interior, La República
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq