The days are getting shorter in November and we are nearing the end of the year. Also when winter arrives. As is known, every month the Moon goes through different phases, new, waxing, full and waning, during its orbit around the Earth in a journey that lasts about 29.5 days.
The lunar cycle begins with the new Moon, when its face is hidden from our eyes. As this natural satellite of Earth moves, a band of light appears that gives rise to the crescent moon until its face is completely illuminated, in what is called a full Moon. After reaching this moment, our vision of the Moon begins to 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 of the month of November the Moon is in each of its phases and, exactly, at what precise 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 lit side is not visible. It is a good time for astronomical observation because the sky is dark.
Croissant
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 drawn a “D” in the sky which can now be seen in its maximum splendor.
November Full Moon
Beginning at 10:28 p.m. on November 15, the Full Moon or Full Moon will occur, in the form of a Super Moon, when the illuminated side of the Moon will be completely visible from Earth and mark the midpoint of the lunar cycle.
In November, we will see the last Super Moon of 2024, known as the “Beaver Moon.” It is believed that the natives of North America called it this because it is the time when this animal builds its shelter to protect itself during the winter. The satellite will fully illuminate in the early hours of November 15, although it will begin to appear in the sky on the night of the 14th.
According to NASA, a Super Moon occurs “when the Moon’s orbit is closest to Earth (perigee), at the same time as there is a full Moon.” The satellite orbits the Earth in the shape of an ellipse, so it moves toward and away from our planet. When a full Moon appears at perigee, it appears slightly brighter and larger than a normal full Moon. At this precise moment, the satellite is 363,300 kilometers from us.
During supermoons, the Moon’s gravitational pull is stronger on Earth the closer it is. This causes stronger and more extreme high and low tides on the planet.
Throughout the year, we witnessed three astronomical Super Moon phenomena: in mid-August the first could be observed, in September the same with the “Harvest Moon” and, again, at the mid-October, with the “Hunter’s Moon”. . These sightings took place in different parts of the world.
last quarter
On November 23, starting at 2:27 a.m., we will enter the last quarter, at which point 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 that of the Taurids, the frozen remains of comet Encke. These shooting stars receive this name because the meteors appear to originate from a point near the constellation Taurus.
The stars will reach their maximum 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 which peak on November 5, while the Northern Taurids will peak on the night of November 12. These two dates are the key dates since the new waxing Moons favor observation because there is not much glare.
The Leonids, meanwhile, will be the second meteor shower of the month. In addition, they are among the most attractive in 2024, surpassed only by the Perseids of July and August. These are the tiny remnants left by comet 55P/Tempel-Tutle which, during their collision with the Earth’s atmosphere, disintegrate, but before that they trace a luminous path that resembles a shooting star. This year, the peak of meteors is forecast for November 17 at a rate of 10 to 15 meteors per hour.
Its name is due to the constellation Leo, since it is there that the luminous traces that these meteors describe when they collide with the Earth’s atmosphere seem to be created. The specialized portal Meteored pointed out that a large meteor shower caused by the passage of the tail of this comet is not expected before 2031.
On this occasion, the Leonid meteor shower could present difficulties for observing them due to its proximity to this month’s Super Moon.
It is advisable to look towards the parts of the sky furthest from the Moon to identify the glow of these frozen fragments, while the best places to observe them are those found in open fields and in the mountains, far away light pollution in cities. . It is important to arrive at these places half an hour before the phenomenon so that your eyes get used to the darkness.
