Astronomers-in-training should mark their calendars for Friday’s full moon, a.k.a. the final supermoon of 2024.
The celestial spectacle is expected to be 14% larger than usual and about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) from Earth. The last supermoon in October was about 2,800 miles closer, but that’s not to say this particular phenomenon won’t be just as eye-catching. It’s expected to reach peak illumination on Friday, November 15th at 4:29pm ET, but skywatchers can also revel in la bella luna’s glow on Thursday and Saturday.
If you’re already mourning the geomagnetic storm we were treated to last month — have a look at our amazing pics of the Northern Lights in NYC just in case you need a reminder — you’ll definitely want to catch the weekend sky. For one, it’s the final supermoon of the year, which means that the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, and it’s the last one until October 2025. Plus, it’ll coincide with the Pleiades star cluster, which is also know as the “Seven Sisters” in the Taurus constellation.
All in all, there’s plenty to love about this month’s Beaver Moon, a moniker given to the celestial body to coincide when beavers begin prepping their dams for the cold-weather months. According to Farmer’s Almanac, other common nicknames for the November astronomy happening are the Frost Moon, the Freezing Moon, and the Whitefish Moon.
So set your alarms if you’re looking for an illuminating experience. Should you not catch the supermoon in all of its glory, don’t sweat it — you’re right in time for NYC’s best holiday lights.