Beaver Moon: When – and how – to see the last…

Beaver Moon: When – and how – to see the last supermoon of 2024

November’s supermoon is called the Beaver Moon and will be the last until 2024 - (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis)

The fourth and final supermoon of 2024 will illuminate the night sky next month.

Named the Beaver Moon, the supermoon will follow October’s Hunter Moon and be the last of its kind until October 2025.

Here’s all you need to know about supermoons and the upcoming Beaver Moon.

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon is a phenomenon that occurs when a full moon (or sometimes a new moon) coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a point called perigee.

When this happens, the moon appears larger and brighter than a full moon. The term "supermoon" is not scientific but has become popular in describing this event.

Here are the key points about a supermoon.

Perigee and apogee: The moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, meaning it's not a perfect circle. When the moon is at its perigee, it is about 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometres) away. When it's farthest (apogee), it's around 253,000 miles (405,500km) away. A supermoon occurs near perigee.
Appearance: During a supermoon, the moon can appear up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than when it’s at its apogee, though the difference can be difficult to notice without a side-by-side comparison.
Frequency: Supermoons happen several times annually because the moon makes a complete orbit around Earth roughly every month. Not every full moon is a supermoon, only those that occur near perigee.
Visual impact: The visual impact of a supermoon can be most noticeable when it's rising or setting, due to the moon illusion. This psychological effect makes the moon appear even larger when it is close to the horizon.

In summary, a supermoon is simply a full moon that happens when the moon is closer to Earth than usual, making it look bigger and brighter in the sky.

When is the next supermoon in 2024?

The next supermoon – which is the last of 2024 – will reach its peak at 9.25pm on Friday November 15.

Why is it called the Beaver Moon?

The names of supermoons originate from Native American traditions. The Beaver Moon got its name as it appears during the time of year when beavers build their winter dams.

However, some believe that this supermoon’s name comes from Native Americans catching beavers in traps around this time of year to stock up on meat supplies for the winter months ahead.