The full moon in November, known as the beaver moon, is also classified as a supermoon, which means it will shine brighter and appear larger than the average full moon.

This moon will reach its peak fullness on Friday, November 15, at 4:29 p.m. EST, but it will still look impressively full and luminous all night long on both Thursday and Saturday. It rises in the east around sunset, reaches its highest point around midnight, and sets in the west just before or around sunrise, according to EarthSky.

This means sky enthusiasts can relish one last glorious full moon this week before the cold of winter limits moon viewing opportunities in the upcoming months.

This full moon is the fourth consecutive supermoon of 2024, as noted by Space.com, following the blue moon in August, the harvest moon in September, and the hunter’s moon in October.

Why is November’s full moon called the Beaver Moon?

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a resource that has been published since the 18th century, assigns names to full moons based on terms used by Native Americans, colonial Americans, and Europeans, reflecting seasonal characteristics in the Northern Hemisphere.

November’s full moon gained its name because it coincides with the period when beavers are busy preparing their homes for winter, and it is the ideal time for setting beaver traps before the water begins to freeze.

Indeed, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the November moon is called the beaver moon mainly because “for both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.”

What is a supermoon?

This month’s full moon will also be classified as a supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than at other times. It is specifically defined as when the full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee, its closest approach to Earth.

At perigee, the moon is approximately 224,895 miles from Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than a standard full moon. Conversely, at its apogee, its farthest point, the moon is about 252,595 miles away, and if a full moon occurs at this distance, it is referred to as a micromoon.

When is the next full moon of 2024?

The upcoming full moon, known as the cold moon, will peak on December 15. It earns the name cold moon as it marks the onset of colder weather.

How many supermoons will occur in 2025?

Supermoons tend to occur around three to four times each year. In 2025, there will be three supermoons:

• Tuesday, October 7
• Wednesday, November 5
• Thursday, December 4