Skywatchers are in for a treat this month as the Beaver Moon, the last full Moon of autumn, rises as a supermoon on Tuesday, November 24, 2026. Peak illumination occurs at 9:53 a.m. Eastern Time (14:53 UTC), though the Moon will be below the horizon for North American observers at that exact moment.
Because the Moon appears full to the naked eye for about a day on either side of peak, both Monday night, November 23, and Tuesday night, November 24, will offer worthwhile views for astronomy enthusiasts across the globe. This year's Beaver Moon is the first of three consecutive supermoons, with December's Cold Moon sitting roughly 360,768 kilometers from Earth, making its disc appear noticeably larger and brighter than a typical full Moon.
This magnificent visual effect will be clearly visible without any specialized equipment, allowing casual observers to enjoy the celestial event directly from their backyards or urban balconies. The name Beaver Moon comes from two distinct historical traditions.
According to Algonquin and colonial sources, November marks the time when beavers have finished constructing their lodge and dam as the ground begins to freeze. Alternatively, the name was inspired by the beginning of the fur trading period in North America because November signalled the beginning of the trapping season as animal furs became thick and ready to withstand the cold winter.
Other traditional names for November's full Moon include Frost Moon, Mourning Moon, Deer Rutting Moon, and Trading Moon in Cherokee culture, reflecting ancient agricultural and seasonal connections. The upcoming supermoon will take place two days prior to Thanksgiving and will successfully conclude an exceptionally busy month for global astronomers and stargazers.
The peak of the Leonid meteor shower will take place during the night of November 17-18, while the Moon will be in waning crescent and therefore the night will be dark enough for optimal viewing. No telescope is needed to enjoy the Beaver Moon.
It rises in the east near sunset, climbs high in the southern sky around midnight, and sets in the west near sunrise, serving as a bright marker of autumn's close before winter takes over.