(CNN) – November’s full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, will shine in the night sky starting this Sunday, providing a breathtaking sight.
According to EarthSky, the moon will be at its fullest in the early hours of this Monday when it reaches the peak of its full phase at 4:16 a.m. ET.
“The next full moon will look like the familiar full moon, but the specific characteristics will always differ slightly from moon to moon,” said Dr. Noah Petro, NASA chief of planetary geology, geophysics and geochemistry. Lab, in an email.
Because of libration (the moon’s slight movement that changes the angle at which sky watchers see the side facing Earth), full moons fluctuate from month to month, he said.
If local weather conditions permit, people north or south of the equator will be able to see the Beaver Moon, and the celestial sphere will appear full to the human eye for about a day before and after its full phase, he said. Peter.
For optimal moon viewing, Petro recommends finding a location with a clear view of the sky, away from trees, buildings, and bright lights. While no equipment is required to observe the moon, binoculars or a telescope can help highlight the finer details, he said.
“When people look at the moon, I hope they first realize that it is the same moon that their grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. saw,” Petro said. “People have looked at the moon for thousands of years, and throughout human history it has looked similar.”
Petro also highlighted two current NASA space operations involving the moon. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been orbiting the moon for more than 14 years, is creating a 3D map of its surface. The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in late 2024 and will send four astronauts on a journey around the moon and back. This is the first attempt since 1972 to land humans near Earth’s nearest neighbor.
More about the Beaver Moon
The name Beaver Moon is believed to be a reference to the appearance of this full moon when the animal retreats to its lodge in anticipation of winter. And when the North American fur trade flourished between the 15th and 18th centuries, November was also beaver trapping season, according to The Old Farmers’ Almanac, because the animal has thicker fur at that time of year.
The Tlingit people also refer to the full moon in November as the “burrowing moon” because it is the time when animals prepare for winter. The Cree called this lunar event the Frost Moon, and the Anishinaabe referred to it as the Frost Moon because cold winter temperatures are near, the almanac says.