The Beaver Supermoon, the biggest and brightest full Moon of 2024, will light up the night sky tonight, offering a spectacular view for skywatchers across India and the globe.
Key Takeaways
- The Beaver Supermoon is the largest and brightest full Moon of 2024.
- It will appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.
- The Moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee), just 356,980 km away.
- This is the brightest Moon since 2019; the next comparable event is in December 2026.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s perigee—its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. The Moon’s path is elliptical, so its distance from Earth constantly changes.
During this event, the Moon can appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter compared to a distant full moon, often called a “micromoon.” Tonight’s Moon will be the brightest since 2019, with the next one of similar brilliance predicted for December 2026.
Supermoon Proximity and Records
Tonight, the Moon is a mere 356,980 kilometres from Earth. This level of proximity hasn’t been seen since the Supermoon of February 2019, which was 356,846 km away. This record will be broken in just over a year when an even closer supermoon is expected on December 24, 2026.
For context, the Moon’s average distance at perigee is about 363,396 km, while at its farthest point (apogee), it is 405,504 km away. The term “supermoon” is specifically used when a full or new moon coincides with the perigee.
