The first of four supermoons this year rises next week and stargazers could catch a moon that can be 30% brighter than average.
Better catch this week's supermoon. It will be a while until the next one.
This is year’s fourth and final supermoon, and came within about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday. It will reach its full lunar phase Friday.
The supermoon rises after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and before the Leonids are most active.
Last month’s supermoon was 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) closer, making it the year's closest. The series started in August.
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In 2025, expect three supermoons beginning in October.
Why is November's full moon called the 'Beaver Moon'?
According to the Farmer's Almanac, in the month of November, beavers begin taking shelter in their lodges after storing enough food for the long winter ahead. During the fur trade, it was also the season for trappers to catch beavers for their thick, winter-ready coats.
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When is the 'Beaver Moon'?
The Beaver Moon will reach peak illumination at 4:28 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, according to Space.com. The timing may vary slightly depending on your location.
What makes a moon so super?
More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and consecutively, given the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.
A supermoon obviously isn’t bigger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference can be barely perceptible.
How do supermoons compare?
This year features a quartet of supermoons.
The one in August was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. September’s was 222,131 miles (357,486 kilometers) away. A partial lunar eclipse also unfolded that night, visible in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe as Earth’s shadow fell on the moon, resembling a small bite.
October’s supermoon was the year’s closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. This month's supermoon made its closest approach on Thursday with the full lunar phase Friday.
What’s in it for me?
Scientists point out that only the keenest observers can discern the subtle differences. It’s easier to detect the change in brightness — a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average.
With the U.S. and other countries ramping up lunar exploration with landers and eventually astronauts, the moon beckons brighter than ever.
