Get ready for an astronomical treat as the penultimate full moon of 2023, known as the Beaver Moon, will rise on Monday, November 27th. In New York City, you can witness this stunning spectacle at 3:48 p.m. EST (2048 GMT) as the moon becomes fully illuminated. The moon will remain in its full glory until about 8:28 a.m. EST (1328 GMT) the following day, allowing skywatchers to revel in its splendor.
Once the Beaver Moon has passed, the moon’s illuminated phase will begin to recede, a phenomenon known as the waning phase. This will continue until the sky becomes completely dark on December 12th, marking the arrival of the final new moon of 2023, and signaling the start of the lunar cycle leading up to December 26’s Cold Moon, the last full moon of the year.
Derived from the habits of the beaver, the name “Beaver Moon” signifies the time when these creatures gather food and seek shelter in their lodges. Additionally, it was historically associated with the trapping of beavers and the collection of their winter pelts when the North American fur trade was active, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Various Native American and Colonial American traditions have their own names for November’s full moon, with references to the activities of animals and the onset of winter. For example, the Tlingit tribe refers to it as the Digging Moon, symbolizing animals foraging for nuts and bears preparing their dens. The Dakota and Lakota people call it the Deer Rutting Moon, while the Algonquin people use the name Whitefish Moon to describe the spawning of fish.
In December, the moon continues to evoke images of winter with its names, such as Cold Moon, Winter Moon, Dead of Winter Moon, and Snow Moon. Each of these names pays homage to the arrival of winter and its associated cold conditions.
If observing the Beaver Moon has piqued your interest in stargazing, check out our guides to the best telescopes and best binoculars. And for those wishing to capture the beauty of the night sky through photography, delve into our guide on how to photograph the moon along with our recommendations for the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography.
Editor’s Note: If you capture a stunning image of the Beaver Moon and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected].
