On November 15, the night sky will host the Beaver Moon, the last supermoon of 2024 and the fourth in a consecutive series that began in August.
This phenomenon, which will be fully visible at 21:29 GMT, marks the end of a unique cycle of supermoons that has captured the attention of enthusiasts and observers around the world.
The term "supermoon" is used when a full moon occurs at perigee, the point at which our natural satellite is closest to Earth. According to National Geographic, this phenomenon was defined in 1979, and while it is not unusual, seeing four consecutive supermoons is quite rare.
Since August, each full moon has coincided with perigee, resulting in increased visibility and a larger apparent size in the night sky.
The Beaver Moon gets its name from the time of year when beavers in North America prepare for winter by building their dams before the rivers freeze.
Unlike other supermoons this year, the Beaver Moon will be 361,867 kilometers away from Earth, according to NASA data, making it the farthest in this series of supermoons.
How and when to watch it
The Beaver Moon will reach its peak fullness at the following local times:
- Spain: 10:29 PM
- Mexico: 3:29 PM
- Argentina: 6:29 PM
- Colombia: 16:29
Additionally, this phenomenon will closely coincide with the peak of the Leonid meteor shower, which will light up the sky between November 6 and November 30, reaching its maximum activity around November 17. This combination allows observers to enjoy two consecutive astronomical displays in one night.
To make the most of the observation, it is recommended to:
- Confirm the peak visibility schedule based on the location.
- Check the weather conditions.
- Look for a place away from light pollution.
- Use binoculars to enhance the experience.
With this latest supermoon, we bid farewell to a 2024 characterized by an extraordinary cycle of supermoons. Although this series is coming to an end, next year will bring new opportunities to observe our satellite in all its splendor.
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