Beaver Moon: Observe the Supermoon in November

The year's largest full moon, known as the "Beaver Moon", is expected to illuminate the sky in early November. According to a publication in Newsweek, the spectacle will be an impressive sight, appearing both larger and brighter than a typical full moon.

This special phenomenon, known as a "supermoon", occurs when the full moon is near Earth. The reason for this is that the lunar orbit is not perfectly circular, but elliptical. This means that there are points where the Moon is closer to our planet – the so-called "perigee". When the full moon coincides with this period, sky watchers witness a more impressive sight.

The peak brightness of the Beaver Moon is expected to be reached on November 5th. However, for some viewers, including those in certain parts of the world, the moon will be below the horizon at that time, meaning that the best moments for observation will be before or after that date.

The origin of the name "Beaver Moon" has various explanations. Some believe that the nickname comes from the fact that the full moon appears at approximately the same time that local Native Americans and trappers traditionally set beaver traps. They were looking for the valuable fur of the animals. Others associate the name with the activity of beavers, who at this time of year are actively building dams and preparing for the coming winter. In both cases, the name is associated with activity related to nature and the approaching seasons.

For those who want to enjoy this celestial beauty, there are some key moments to note. The "Beaver Moon" will reach its peak on November 5th, but the best opportunities for observation will be on the evening of November 4th and the evening of November 5th.

In New York, on November 4th, sunset will be around 4:48 PM, and moonrise will be around 4:00 PM. In Los Angeles, sunset will be around 4:57 PM, and moonrise – 4:14 PM. On November 5th, in New York, sunset will be around 4:47 PM, and moonrise – 4:35 PM. In Los Angeles, sunset will be around 4:56 PM, and moonrise – 4:55 PM.

For Bulgaria, the peak of the moon's brightness will be at 3:19 PM Bulgarian time on November 5th. This is an important moment, but due to the position of the moon relative to the horizon at that time, the best moments for observation will be the evenings of November 4th and 5th. On these evenings, immediately after sunset (which in early November in Bulgaria is around 5:15 PM – 5:30 PM), the moon will rise low above the eastern horizon. At this moment, it will appear larger and often with an orange hue. The reason is the so-called "moon illusion", which can make the moon appear larger than it actually is.

This phenomenon is a type of optical illusion that occurs as a result of the brain comparing the moon to the size of trees and buildings observed in the same view of the sky. When the moon rises even higher, its size may not seem so impressive, but the view will still be worth it.

The next full moon, after the "Beaver Moon", is known as the Cold Moon and will illuminate the sky on December 4th. This will be the last full moon of the year, and the first for 2026 will be the Wolf Moon, visible on January 3rd.