by A supermoon is expected to appear on Friday evening, which will be the last time this phenomenon will be seen until November next year.
The Beaver Moon, which rose just after 3:30 p.m. on November 15, marks the fourth supermoon of the year.
However, Friday’s full moon is farther from Earth than the previous two – the Harvest Moon in September and the Hunter’s Moon in October – and by some astronomers’ definition it is not actually a supermoon.
Dr. Edward Bloomer, senior astronomy manager at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: “The supermoon definition is not particularly strict.
“The general rule that most people stick to, although astronomers like to argue about it, is that it is within 10% of its closest approach to Earth.”
Another definition of a supermoon is that it must be within 360,000 kilometers of Earth.
Dr. Bloomer said Friday’s Beaver Moon will be “nice and bright” and should be “pretty easy” to spot as long as the weather “holds out.”
To catch a glimpse, Dr. Bloomer, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness by avoiding looking at phones and staying away from streetlights.
Dr. Darren Baskill, lecturer in physics and astronomy at the University of Sussex, said the Beaver Moon will look like “any other full moon” tonight, but as winter approaches, full moons will be higher in the sky, making them more prominent.
The name “full moon” is intended to reflect what happens in nature in the month in which the full moon appears.
Dr. Baskill said: “Beavers are most active at dawn and dusk, and under the light of this aptly named full moon you can see them beavering at night.”
After today’s Beaver Moon, the next supermoon will not occur until November 5, 2025.
Grahame Madge, spokesman for the Met Office, said: “The best chances of seeing today’s supermoon are really in parts of southern England and as early after sunset as possible.”
“There will be more clouds from the Midlands and further north, but further south the skies will be clearer.
“Fog is likely to develop in the south of England later this evening. Spectators in other areas may have chances as the clouds break up.
“Viewers in the northern islands may also have a good chance as clearer skies coupled with the drop in temperature make visibility easier.”
