Get ready for a celestial spectacle this week! Not only will you witness a supermoon, but you'll also be treated to a meteor shower, making it a double cosmic delight. Here's a breakdown of how to catch these astronomical events.
Beaver Moon Supermoon
The November full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will be a supermoon, reaching its peak at 8:19 a.m. ET on Wednesday. However, don't miss it! While it will be below the horizon at that time, the best view awaits you during the evening hours. This supermoon is the second of three consecutive supermoons this year, marking the moment when the moon reaches its closest point (perigee) to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter.
The name 'Beaver Moon' comes from the time of year when beavers are busy preparing for winter by fortifying their dams and lodges and gathering food. Interestingly, different cultures have given this moon various names: the Tlingit call it the 'Digging Moon,' the Dakota the 'Deer Rutting Moon,' and the Cree the 'Frost Moon.'
Dr. Alissa Bans, director of undergraduate studies at Emory University's physics department, explains that the supermoon's 'superness' is subtle and not easily noticeable to the naked eye. Despite this, we've given it a catchy name to indicate that it's technically the moon at its biggest and brightest, just not significantly larger than usual.
If clouds obstruct your view, don't worry! The Virtual Telescope Project will live-stream the full moon over Manciano, Italy, starting at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, ensuring you don't miss a moment of this celestial spectacle.
Southern Taurid Meteor Shower
The second celestial event of the week is the Southern Taurid meteor shower, which will peak at 8 a.m. ET on Wednesday. While it doesn't have a strong peak, with only around five meteors per hour, it's still a sight to behold. These meteors are slow and originate from the constellation of Aries in October and Taurids in November.
The Taurids are the result of Earth's encounter with debris left by the small comet 2P/Encke, which has the shortest orbit of any discovered comet, at just 3.3 years. In the past, this meteor shower has been known as the 'Halloween Fireballs' due to its peak around Halloween. This year, it's expected to produce some larger meteors, causing more spectacular fireballs.
Finding these meteors might be challenging due to moonlight, but it's still possible to spot a fireball. For the best viewing experience, find a location with clear skies, away from tall buildings and bright lights. Aim to be outside after sunset and before the moon reaches its highest point on Wednesday night.
The Taurids slightly favor the Northern Hemisphere, but they are visible in both hemispheres. In Australia or South Africa, the radiant will be lower in the sky, so some meteors might be obscured by the horizon.
Other Meteor Showers
Keep an eye out for these other meteor showers this year:
- Northern Taurids: November 11-12
- Leonids: November 16-17
- Geminids: December 13-14
- Ursids: December 21-22
And don't forget the last full supermoon of the year, the Cold Moon, which will occur on December 4.
So, mark your calendars, grab your telescopes, and prepare for a breathtaking week of celestial wonders!
