Starting this weekend on Friday, November 15, a full “Beaver” supermoon will make its way into the Boston sky for the last time this month. It is expected to stay near peak illumination for next 3 nights.
But fret not, there are still plenty of full moons to come!
What is a supermoon?
The term “super” indicates the moon’s distance to the earth rather than the size of the moon, as noted with the previous micro wolf moon-which indicated the moon to be at apogee (or at its farthest point from the earth).
According to NASA, a supermoon is what astronomers call a “perigean full moon.” Or a moon that is at its closest point to earth and thus easier to see!
This Beaver Moon is the last supermoon of 2024. The next full moon, that is not a supermoon, is December’s cold moon.
How to watch the full Beaver Supermoon
Full supermoons are the only ones we can see, and a stunning celestial event they are!
“Why the “Beaver” Moon? This is the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having laid up sufficient food stores for the long winter ahead. During the fur trade in North America, it was also the season to trap beavers for their thick, winter-ready pelts,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The moon will peak at around 4:30 PM on Friday, November 15, when it reaches 100% illumination!