Get ready to look up for a spectacular sight this month! November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is expected to be the last supermoon of 2024 and will shine brightly mid-month.
Beaver Moon to Illuminate Sky Alongside the 'Seven Sisters
A supermoon happens when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth during its orbit, making it look bigger and brighter than usual. This Beaver Moon will light up the night sky on Friday, Nov. 15, reaching peak brightness around 4:28 p.m. ET.
Not only will the moon shine brightly, but it will also appear near the Pleiades, a famous star cluster known as the "Seven Sisters" in the Taurus constellation, offering stargazers an extra treat.
This supermoon will be the fourth and final one of the year, wrapping up a unique series of supermoons that began in August.
In 2024, we've already seen the Blue Moon in August, the Harvest Moon in September, and the Hunter's Moon in October. Each has wowed sky-watchers by appearing slightly larger and more luminous due to its closeness to Earth, Democrat and Chronicle said.
During a supermoon, the moon can look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when it's at its farthest point from Earth.
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Last Supermoon of 2024 Promises Bright Display Near Pleiades
November's full moon gets its name from old Native American and early colonial traditions. The "Beaver Moon" refers to the time of year when beavers prepare for winter by taking shelter in their lodges.
It also marked the season when fur trappers would set up beaver traps, as beavers are busy collecting materials to insulate their dens against the cold.
For those who enjoy exploring the night sky, there are more exciting sights this month. The Taurids meteor shower will reach its peak on the nights of Nov. 8 and Nov. 9, though it only brings a few meteors per hour. Following that, the Leonids meteor shower will peak around Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, delivering 10 to 15 meteors per hour, particularly after midnight.
On the night of the full moon, several planets will also be visible. Venus and Mercury will appear in the western sky just after sunset, with Venus shining brightly above the horizon. Saturn, high in the southern sky, and Jupiter, rising below and to the left of the moon, will also be visible. Mars, with its red tint, will be located in the Cancer constellation, adding to the night's sights.
According to Astronomy, after the Beaver Moon, the next full moon is set to occur on Dec. 15, 2024, and is traditionally called the "Cold Moon." So, mark your calendars and don't miss the final supermoon of the year.
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