The full moon of November, colloquially known as the Beaver Moon, will be visible from November 24 to December 1, 2023. This celestial event is expected to peak on Monday, November 27, at 4:16 a.m. ET, when the moon will be at its brightest. The Beaver Moon will appear full for three days, from Saturday night to Tuesday morning, offering ample opportunity for skywatchers to observe its brilliance.
The Beaver Moon gets its name from early Native American tribes and American colonists, marking the time when beavers begin to prepare for winter by sheltering in their lodges. The Tlingit people have also referred to this full moon as the 'digging moon,' signifying the time when animals begin to prepare for winter.
During this period, the moon will be in close proximity to Jupiter and Uranus, adding to the spectacle. The variable star Algol and the Wild Duck Cluster will also be observable. Additionally, the planet Venus will pass north of the star Spica, and Saturn's moon Iapetus will reach its greatest western elongation.
The moon will rise in the east at dusk, shining all night, and setting in the west at dawn. The best time to view the moon is at moonrise and moonset when it is very low on the horizon. The moon sometimes appears red due to the scattering of short-wavelength blue light by the Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon can be observed with the naked eye, but for a closer look, binoculars or a telescope can be used.
In addition to the Beaver Moon, the Leonids meteor shower is expected to be visible in the night sky until its end on December 2. Skywatchers are in for a treat with these celestial events lighting up the night sky.