Final supermoon of 2024 will rise TONIGHT – here’s the best time to see the astronomical display

The last supermoon of 2024 is expected to illuminate the sky tonight, appearing larger and brighter than the typical moon.

November’s full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will reach peak brightness at 4:28pm ET Friday, but the cosmic show begins once the sun goes down about 10 minutes later. The best views will be in the northeast region of the sky.

The moon is typically 238,900 miles from Earth but will be just 226,000 miles away on Friday – it won’t come this close again until November 25, 2034. 

The name comes from beaver’s behaviors at this time of year, when they begin to seek shelter from the impending cold winter weather.

The November moon was also historically named the Beaver Moon because ‘for both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.’ 

Most full moons are steeped in Native American history and other alternative names for the Beaver supermoon include the hunter moon, mourning moon, reed moon and frost moon.

This is second to last in a series of four consecutive supermoons this year, with the next one due to occur on December 15.

The term ‘supermoon’ was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 as either a new or full Moon that occurs when the moon is within 90 percent of its closest approach to Earth, also known as perigee.

Because of the Beaver moon’s close proximity and with the sun setting around 4:40pm ET, the moon will have ample opportunity to shine brightly in the night sky. 

And tonight the supermoon will be 100 percent illuminated.  

Known as the waxing phase – when the moon’s appearance grows to nearly its full size – the supermoon will be 98 percent illuminated on Thursday, before reaching 100 percent on Friday and 99 percent in its waning phase on Saturday.

The Beaver supermoon will be joined by four planets this weekend – Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Mars – that will primarily appear to the southwest of the moon. 

Mercury will be the first to appear, but because it appears low in the sky and sets an hour after the sun, it is advised that viewers don’t try to see it with the naked eye.

Venus and Saturn will also appear in the southwest, appearing higher than Mercury and can be seen without a telescope.

Jupiter will rise to the east, about two hours after the supermoon, while Mars will will rise just before midnight in the east. 

Supermoons occur when the full moon is at ‘perigee’ – the point where it’s closest to Earth.

According to astrologers, the Beaver moon is linked to the constellation it appears in, and this year the exceptionally large and bright moon will appear in Taurus which.

This constellation rules the physical world including wealth, income and material possessions and the worth we place on them.

Celebrity astrologer Kyle Thomas told Good Morning America that ‘during these times, we can feel more sensual, crave beauty and luxury, and may be a bit more indulgent.’

He advised that people should make use of the energy associated with this month’s supermoon by manifesting your dreams and desires and said you can do this by using gemstones, soil and candles. 

‘Because Taurus rules wealth and money, you could tap into its energy by creating an altar focused on finances or using green candles,’ he explained. 

‘Taurus is ruled by Venus, so if you’d like to attract romance or increase love, use a pink candle.’