2024’s final supermoon visible tonight in Pakistan | The Express Tribune

Tonight, the final supermoon of 2024, known as the Beaver Moon, will light up the sky. This celestial event occurs when the moon reaches its full phase while being at its closest point to Earth, known as perigee. 

The Beaver Moon in 2024 will be nearly 14% larger and 30% brighter than an average full moon.

In addition to the supermoon, the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, will be visible near the moon. The Pleiades is a prominent cluster of stars that can be seen with the naked eye, adding to the spectacle of the night sky.

Is it visible in Pakistan?

Yes, the supermoon will be visible from Pakistan. The Beaver Moon will peak at 2:58 AM PST on November 16. The best time to observe it will be shortly after sunset on November 15, when the moon rises about 20 to 30 minutes after the sun goes down. This is when the moon will appear particularly large and bright due to the "moon illusion" effect.

In addition to the Beaver Moon, four visible planets will also grace the night sky. Mercury, the first planet to be seen after sunset, will appear low in the southwest but will set shortly after. Venus, higher in the sky, will be the brightest object in the southwest and the first to appear on Friday night. Saturn will shine with a pale yellow glow in the southern sky and will remain visible until well after midnight.

Jupiter, which will rise in the east a couple of hours after the moon, will remain in the sky throughout the night, setting after the moon on Saturday morning. Mars will join the skywatching event by rising just before midnight.

Notable supermoons earlier this year included the Sturgeon Moon in August, the Harvest Moon in September, and the Hunter Moon in October. Tonight’s Beaver Moon is the fourth and final supermoon of 2024.