Pennsylvania stargazers can see last supermoon of the year soon. Here’s when to look
Pennsylvania residents can soon catch a glimpse of November’s full moon, the beaver moon, which will be the last supermoon of the year.
The beaver moon will peak at 4:28 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Friday, Nov. 15, according to astronomy publication Space.com. The sun will set at 4:52 p.m. in State College that day, online clock Time and Date reports, so you may want to look a little later.
A supermoon is defined as either a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to earth, NASA reports, and supermoons are the “biggest and brightest” full moons of the year.
October’s supermoon moon was the closest to Earth of the year and appeared the largest. The beaver moon is the fourth consecutive supermoon of the year.
The celestial event is called the beaver moon because it’s the time of year when beavers build their homes for the winter, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
Many moon names come from Indigenous cultures. The almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.
The week of Nov. 15 has a mix of clear skies and potential rain in the forecast for State College, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to range from about 32 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
When will the next full moon be?
The next full moon after November’s beaver moon will be the Sunday, Dec. 15 cold moon, which is the last full moon of 2024.
The Central Pennsylvania Observers will host a free, public stargazing event from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at Penn State Arboretum. The event is open to adults 18 years and older, and organizers suggest bundling up as it’s likely to be cold. The gathering may be canceled in the case of inclement weather.
