Wait, the ‘Beaver Moon’ Isn’t in Homage to Our Old Name

The final Supermoon of 2024, also known as the "Beaver Moon," will be out in full force on Friday, Nov. 15. It will reach its peak illumination in Glenside at 4:20 p.m.

According to Dr. Tatjana Miletic, chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department, a Supermoon occurs when a full moon (or new moon) coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee. This makes the Moon appear larger and brighter in the sky than an average full moon. Because the Moon's orbit around Earth isn't a perfect circle, its distance from Earth varies, and when it reaches perigee during a full moon, it creates the "Supermoon" effect. Supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.

The Beaver Moon is named for the time of year when beavers seek shelter in their lodges with stored food for winter. It was also the traditional season for trapping beavers for their thick pelts during North America's fur trade. The name comes from Native American, Colonial American, and European folklore, where each full moon name referred to the entire lunar month.

Although the Beaver Moon has nothing to do with Beaver/Arcadia, make sure you take a moment to look up and admire its beauty.