The days get shorter in November and we are approaching the end of the year. Also at the arrival of winter. As is known, each month the Moon goes through different phases, which are new, waxing, full and waning, as it orbits the Earth on a journey that lasts approximately 29.5 days.
The lunar cycle begins with the new Moon, when its face is hidden from our eyes. As this natural satellite of the Earth moves, a strip of light emerges that gives rise to the crescent moon until its face is seen completely illuminated, in what is called a full Moon. After reaching that moment, the vision we have of the Moon begins to be cut to the right until returning to the darkness of the new Moon, when the end of the cycle is reached.
The National Geographic Institute (IGN) indicates at what time in the month of November the Moon is in each of its phases and, exactly, at what specific time it occurs.
New moon
The month of November began precisely with a new moon at 1:47 p.m. In this phase we know that the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, so its illuminated side is not visible. It is a good time for astronomical observation because the sky is dark.
Crescent
It will take place on November 9 at 6:55 a.m. At this point in the phase, the right half of the Moon will be illuminated and can be seen from Earth. The Moon has been drawing a ‘D’ in the sky that, now, can be seen in its maximum splendor.
November full moon
Starting at 10:28 p.m. on November 15, the full Moon or full moon will occur, in the form of a Supermoon, when the illuminated side of the Moon will be completely visible from Earth and marks the middle of the lunar cycle.
In November we will see the last Supermoon of 2024, known as the ‘Beaver Moon’. It is believed that the North American natives called it that way because it is the time when this animal is building its shelter to protect itself in the winter. The satellite will illuminate completely in the early hours of November 15, although it will begin to appear in the skies on the night of the 14th.
According to NASA, a Supermoon occurs “when the Moon’s orbit is closest to Earth (perigee), at the same time there is a full Moon.” The satellite orbits the Earth in the shape of an ellipse, so that it approaches and moves away from our planet. When a full Moon appears at its perigee, it looks slightly brighter and larger than a normal full Moon. At that precise moment the satellite is 363,300 kilometers from us.
During Supermoons, the Moon’s gravitational pull is stronger on Earth as it is closer. This causes stronger and more extreme tides, both high and low, to occur on the planet.
Throughout the year we have seen three astronomical Supermoon phenomena: in mid-August the first one could be seen, in September the same with the so-called ‘Harvest Moon’ and, again, in mid-October, with the ‘ Hunter’s Moon’. These sightings occurred from different parts of the world.
last quarter
On November 23, starting at 2:27 a.m., the last quarter will be entered, at which time the left side of the Moon is illuminated and can be seen from Earth. We are talking about the last quarter of the lunar cycle.
The next meteor showers
The first meteor shower of November is the Taurids, frozen remains of Comet Encke. These shooting stars receive this name because the meteors appear to come from a point near the constellation of Taurus.
The stars will reach their peak frequency between November 5 and 12. The best time to see them will be at midnight during the first few days, before the appearance of the full Moon.
This year there are two events: the southern Taurids that reach their maximum on November 5, while the northern Taurids will reach their peak on the night of November 12. These two are the key dates since the new and waxing Moons favor observation as there is not much glare.
The Leonids, for its part, will be the second meteor shower of the month. In addition, they are among the most attractive of 2024, only surpassed by the Perseids of July and August. They are the tiny remains left by comet 55P/Tempel-Tutle that, upon colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere, disintegrate, but before doing so they draw a luminous path that looks like a shooting star. This year the peak of the meteors is predicted for November 17 at a rate of 10 to 15 bolides per hour.
Its name is due to the constellation Leo, since that is where the bright traces that these meteors describe appear to be created when they collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. The specialized portal Meteored has highlighted that a large meteor shower caused by the passage of the tail of that comet is not expected until 2031.
On this occasion, the Leonid meteor shower could present difficulties when observing them due to its proximity to the Supermoon this month.
It is advisable to look towards the parts of the sky furthest from the Moon to identify the brightness of these frozen fragments, while the best places to observe them are those found in open fields and in the mountains, away from the light pollution of cities. . It is important to arrive at these places half an hour before the phenomenon so that your eyes can get used to the darkness.
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