November’s full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will illuminate the sky on Friday, November 15 as the year’s final supermoon. This supermoon coincides with the Leonid meteor shower, which peaks Saturday night into early Sunday, though the moon’s brightness may reduce visibility of fainter meteors.
The Beaver Moon, named for the season when beavers prepare for winter, reaches its peak at 3:29 p.m. on Friday but will appear full to the naked eye for about three days. A supermoon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter. While this moon is slightly farther than October’s, it still offers an impressive view, especially at moonrise, where an optical “moon illusion” may enhance its size.
The Leonid meteor shower, typically producing 15 meteors per hour, may yield about five meteors per hour due to the moon’s luminosity. Viewers should face east and observe late at night for the best chances. Amateur astronomers can contribute meteor data through online reporting tools, aiding future predictions.