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November’s full moon is the last supermoon of 2024: when and how to watch it | Space news

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November’s full moon is the last supermoon of 2024: when and how to watch it | Space news

The last supermoon of 2024 will be visible around the world on Friday evening.

This supermoon will reach its peak on Friday at 4:29 p.m. Eastern Time (9:29 p.m. GMT).

This moon will coincide with other celestial events, including the Leonid meteor shower and the Pleiades star cluster.

Here’s what you need to know:

What is a full moon and a supermoon?

According to NASA, a full moon is defined as the time when the moon is exactly 180 degrees away from the sun. Essentially, the Earth, Moon, and Sun are all aligned at this point. During this time, the sun illuminates the Earth’s satellite almost entirely.

A supermoon is defined as an astronomical phenomenon in which a full moon appears larger and brighter than usual. This happens when the full moon occurs at the same time it is closest to Earth in its orbit.

The term “supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 to describe a full moon that occurs when the moon is “90% of its closest position to Earth.”

At the opposite end of the moon-viewing spectrum is the micromoon – when the full moon appears particularly small and dull because it coincides with the point in the moon’s orbit where it is farthest from Earth.

What is the Beaver Moon?

This year’s Castor Moon will be the fourth and final supermoon of 2024, appearing larger and brighter as it gets closer to Earth, reaching about 361,867 km (225,000 miles) on Thursday.

However, it will reach its full phase on Friday.

Full moons are normally given names related to events that occur in nature. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, this name is also rooted in various traditions and folklore of Native American and European cultures.

In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the season when beavers begin to settle into their lodges, having stored enough food for the winter.

Some call it the Mourning Moon because it is the last full moon before the winter solstice. Other names include Frost Moon and Freezing Moon, and these come from the frosts and first snows that begin at this time of year, particularly in northeastern North America.

Where and when can you watch it?

Supermoons can be seen around the world, so peak lighting times vary by location.

In India, the moon will reach maximum illumination at 2:58 a.m. (9:29 p.m. GMT) on Saturday, while people in London will be able to observe it around 9:29 p.m. Friday local time.

In the Middle East Gulf countries, the moon is expected to light up the sky on Saturday at 00:29 GMT.

How can you look at the supermoon?

A casual astronomer should be able to see the full moon, if you’re in the right time zone.

NASA also recommends using a pair of binoculars “with a minimum magnification of 7,” noting that “a magnification of 10 or 15 will provide more detail; you may need a tripod to stabilize them.

What other celestial events are taking place?

The Leonid meteor shower will also reach its peak this weekend.

The Leonids are known for their fast meteors, reaching speeds of 70 km/second (44 mps). While most meteor showers come from comet debris, the Leonids come from comet Tempel-Tuttle.

Leonids are bright meteors and can even appear in different colors. According to NASA, approximately every 33 years, Earth observers may witness a Leonid storm, where the number of meteors can peak at hundreds or even thousands per hour, depending on the observer’s location.

Leonid meteors light up desert night sky near Amman (File: Reuters)

This full moon will also align with the Pleiades star cluster.

The Pleiades is a recognizable set of stars and an open star cluster consisting of more than 1,000 stars. Located in the constellation Taurus, they are approximately 410 light years from Earth.

This year, the brightness of the full moon may make it difficult to view many of the stars in the cluster. Saturday at 1:59 a.m. Eastern Time (06:59 GMT), the Full Moon will be just 0°6′ from the Pleiades.