THE final supermoon of the year is set to appear in the skies above Scotland today.
Known as the Beaver Moon, the full moon isn’t expected to be quite as bright as last month’s Hunter’s supermoon, but it will still provide a stunning spectacle for keen stargazers.
However, you will want to check the weather forecast for your area, as clouds could obscure your view of the supermoon.
It is expected to rise in Scotland at about 3.30pm, but will be able to be viewed in all its stunning glory at 9.28pm, when it is expected to be at its brightest.
Why is it called the Beaver Moon?
Royal Museums Greenwich explains: “There is disagreement over the origin of November's beaver moon name.
This is your last chance to see a Supermoon this year! 🌕 The next full Moon will occur on Nov. 15, starting at 4:29 p.m. EST. A “supermoon” appears bigger and brighter than usual due to its close proximity to Earth. Learn more about it HERE> https://t.co/Y4cFGkOgL8 pic.twitter.com/zCQcBcCCH7
— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) November 12, 2024
“Some say it comes from Native Americans setting beaver traps during this month, while others say the name comes from the heavy activity of beavers building their winter dams.
“Another name is the frost moon.”
How can I see the supermoon?
Royal Museum Greenwich say: “As long as there aren't too many clouds, the full Moon will be an unmistakable white orb in the sky.
“This is a good opportunity to use a small telescope or a pair of binoculars to see the Moon's detailed surface, or even try taking a few interesting moon photos.
“However, you can see the Moon perfectly well with just your eyes.
“Seeing moonrise just after sunset or moonset just before sunrise will be an impressive sight as the Moon will appear enormous compared to the surrounding landscape.
“This is due to an optical illusion. During moonrise, the Moon looks bigger than it is because our brain doesn’t understand that the sky is a dome.
“It falsely projects things near the horizon to appear larger than they actually are.”
