Beaver Moon: A Celestial Spectacle in the Australian Sky
Get ready for a celestial spectacle in the Australian sky! On Wednesday evening, Australia will witness a 'beaver' moon, a particularly large and bright full moon that will light up the night sky. But what makes this moon so special? And how can you get the best view?
The Beaver Moon's Appeal
This November 'beaver' moon is the second in a series of three supermoons that will grace our skies this year. A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun, with the Earth positioned between them. This alignment makes the moon appear brighter and approximately 10% larger than a typical full moon. But what's even more fascinating is that this week's supermoon will be particularly large and bright compared to other supermoons.
Perigee and the Beaver Moon
The moon's closest approach to Earth, known as perigee, is what makes this supermoon so special. During its approximately 27.3-day orbit around Earth, the moon reaches both its perigee, about 363,000km from Earth, and its farthest point, or apogee, about 405,500km from Earth. This week's supermoon corresponds to what is pretty close to the moon's perigee, the closest approach. So, this is the biggest the moon will look in the sky because it will be the closest in its orbit.
Beaver Moon: A Nickname with a Story
But what is a beaver moon? This week's supermoon is also known as the 'beaver' moon, a nickname for the November full moon that has its origins in various traditions and folklore in Native American and European cultures. According to NASA, November is when beavers ready themselves for winter, and historically, trappers once sought their thick pelts for warm clothing across the Northern Hemisphere.
The Best Time to See the Beaver Moon
While the moon will technically only hit its closest approach to Earth after midnight for Australians on the east coast, the best time to view it will be just after sunset. Looking at the moon at sunset is when it's going to look its best because it's going to be close to the horizon. Due to an optical illusion, things look bigger when they're on the horizon because you see them relative to cities or skyscrapers or things on the horizon, our eyes have a reference point. Things naturally look bigger on the horizon than when they're vertically in the sky.
A Supermoon's Challenge for Astronomers
However, while supermoons are exciting for many, astronomers have a different view. Adam Batten, an astronomer from Swinburne University of Technology, says full moons are the 'worst time of the night for astronomers' because they block out the stars and other objects in the night sky. So, while we enjoy the beauty of the beaver moon, astronomers might be less thrilled, as they prefer the moonless nights for their observations.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to witness the Beaver Moon in all its glory! But remember, the best time to view it is just after sunset, and don't forget to share your photos and experiences in the comments below!
