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November's Beaver Moon Will Be Final Supermoon Of 2024

Here’s What November’s Night Sky Has To Offer

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We’ve been spoiled with a stretch of supermoons each month since August, but November’s full moon will be not only the last supermoon of 2024, but also the last supermoon for almost a full year. This week’s full moon, which is usually called the Beaver Moon, will reach peak illumination on Friday, Nov. 15, at 4:29, EST.

What is a supermoon?

To be designated as a supermoon, the moon must be full on the day it is at its perigee, or closest distance to the Earth. That has been the case for three consecutive months, beginning with August’s Sturgeon Moon, which was also a blue moon (the second full moon in the same month). September’s Harvest Moon followed, while the Hunter’s Moon last month was our brightest full moon of the year.

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Looking ahead to 2025, supermoons will happen in October, November and December. The first of these will occur on Oct. 7, which means if you miss Friday’s supermoon, you’ll have to wait 326 (and nights) for the next one. If clear skies are in your forecast for the 15th, grab some friends, head outside, and enjoy. The great thing about supermoons, as far as stargazing goes, is you really can't miss them, after all.

Why is it called a Beaver Moon?

November’s full moon gets its name from the busy animals with their strong tails. One popular belief for the folk origin of the name “Beaver Moon” has to do with beaver behavior this time of year: many North American beavers are preparing their dams and lodges, and slowly getting ready to retreat into them for the winter. Looking at freezing winter weather like that created by Winter Storm Anya last week, one can see why the beavers are wise to be prepared as early as possible!

Of course, there are plenty of other names for the month's full moon, including Deer Rutting Moon (because deers seek mates this time of year), The Freezing Moon, and Frost Moon. In Celtic tradition, the November moon is called The Mourning Moon, and is seen as a time to reflect on the year gone by, to let go of the past and look toward the coming new year.

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