The full moon tonight is also Beaver supermoon: What it means and the best time to see it

The evening sky puts on a free nightly show for those who pay attention. This week, the moon will appear bigger than normal for a very special reason. The final supermoon of the year will reach its peak on Friday, November 15, but it will look enlarged all week.

It is also a bit furry and chilly, at least in name.

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, you can call it the Beaver Moon or Frost Moon, depending on your preference. According to the Almanac, it’s called the Beaver Moon because beavers—loaded up with food for the winter—take shelter in their lodges this time of year. It was also the season to trap beavers during the fur trade.

Let’s take a deeper look into painters inspired by the moon, supermoons, and how best to catch November’s in action.

Painters who captured the Moon’s essence

Caspar David Friedrich and Ralph Albert Blakelock were both painters who looked up in wonder. Sometime between 1808 and 1810 Friedrich, a German artist, was inspired to create “The Monk by the Sea.” This painting depicts an isolated figure staring out into a moonlight ocean. The illumination from the celestial object was a frequent tool utilized by Friedrich, an innovator of Romanticism, to convey the wonder of the natural world.

Similarly, Blakelock, an American painter, was inspired to create several works entitled “Moonlight.” These landscapes often displayed Native Americans in quietly haunting environments. He left the narrative up to the viewer, making them an active participant in the works.

Why is this November full moon called a supermoon?

About once a month, a full moon occurs. (A blue moon is when two full moons occur in the same calendar month, but that’s getting off topic.) When a full moon lines up with perigee, it gets upgraded to super.

The term supermoon was coined in 1979 and isn’t an official astrological term. This moniker of honor is used to describe a full moon that takes place when the satellite’s orbit is closest to Earth. The moon appears bigger and brighter during this time but, unfortunately, doesn’t get a cool cape like a superhero.

November’s offering is the fourth and last supermoon of 2024. It would win second place if ranked from largest to smallest. We experience about three to four supermoons each year, and they always occur consecutively.

What’s the best time to see the Beaver Moon?

The best time to see a supermoon is when it rises. The drama of the motion makes the moon appear even more magnificent against the horizon. The exact timing of this depends on your location.

Here is a handy tool to work out the particulars.

The moon will peak on Friday at 4:29 p.m. ET. Beyond timing, it is best to pick a clear location so nothing obstructs your view. Beaches and hilltops are great ideas. Avoid overly populated areas with lots of light pollution, which will dim the moon. Binoculars or a telescope will help you see the finer details of the orb if you want to get up close and personal.