The new year is moving towards us at an unstoppable pace and we are about to reach another milestone in 2024 with the last supermoon of the year.

What is a supermoon?

Unlike the old cheese wheel we see in the sky every night, the supermoon It’s something that only happens three or four times a year.

It occurs when the full moon occurs at the same time as the the moon closest approach to Land in its elliptical orbit, a point known as perigee. The closer position means the full Moon can appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest Moon of the year, according to POT.

Shyam Balaji, astroparticle researcher physics and cosmology at King’s College London, explained further: “A supermoon occurs due to the moon’s elliptical orbit around the Earth. This orbit is not a perfect circle, so the distance between the Moon and Earth varies throughout the month.

“The gravitational forces of the Earth, the Sun and other planets influence the Moon’s orbit, causing these variations. That is why from time to time we have the spectacular sight of a supermoon.”

This month, the supermoon is known as the ‘Beaver Moon’ and marks the last of four consecutive supermoons we have had so far this year, starting in August.

When will the supermoon be visible?

The moon becomes full when it is exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, so the exact time this happens depends on what time zone you are in.

However, it is scheduled to occur on November 15 and will arrive in the Eastern Time Zone states at 4:28 pm It is 9:28 pm in the United Kingdomand early in the morning of November 16 in Hong Kong.

The moon will appear larger than normal (Getty Stock Photo)

How can I see the supermoon?

Fortunately, you don’t need to rush out to buy the latest telescope or binoculars to observe the supermoon this week.

Instead, it will be bright enough to see with the naked eye, so all you have to do is remember to look up.

However, Balaji has offered tips on how to get the best view of the supermoon, explaining: “To get the most impressive view, try to capture it just after sunset or just before sunrise. This is when the moon appears largest and most dramatic against the horizon.

“Be sure to find a location with minimal light pollution for the best experience,” the researcher added.