Skies will light up on November 24, 2026, when a supermoon known as Beaver Moon makes its approach to Earth as the first supermoon after the one in January 2026.
Observers across Indonesia can watch the lunar display reach its peak phase at approximately 21.53 Western Indonesia Time, ototekno.harianjogja.com reported. NASA data shows that supermoons occur when a full moon coincides with the lunar perigee, the point in the orbit where the Moon sits closest to Earth.
While the term is not an official astronomical designation, it is widely used to describe close-range full moons. The upcoming November event kicks off a sequence of four supermoons stretching into early 2027. Following the Beaver Moon, similar phenomena will appear on December 24, 2026, January 22, 2027, and February 20, 2027, according to ototekno.harianjogja.com.
The Moon moves around Earth in an elliptical path rather than a perfect circle, causing the distance between the two bodies to shift continuously. Perigee marks the closest approach, while apogee represents the farthest point.
When a full moon happens near perigee, it can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon near apogee, according to NASA.
However, human eyes often struggle to detect this change directly because the shift in apparent size in the sky remains relatively small.
Human perception also introduces the moon illusion, a psychological effect that makes the lunar disc look larger near the horizon. Objects like trees and buildings provide context that tricks the brain into scaling up the Moon’s size, even though its physical dimensions remain unchanged.
Traditional names like Beaver Moon and Wolf Moon identify monthly full moons without serving as scientific classifications for supermoons. The astronomical calendar tracks the sequence for late 2026 and early 2027:
- November 24, 2026: Beaver Moon, with the peak arriving near 21.53 WIB.
- December 24, 2026: Cold Moon, peaking at approximately 08.28 WIB.
- January 22, 2027: Wolf Moon.
- February 20, 2027: Snow Moon.
Cloud cover, local weather, and moonrise times ultimately dictate viewing conditions at any specific location. Observers aiming for striking photographs can capture the Moon close to the horizon while using terrestrial landmarks as visual comparisons.
Proximity to Earth increases the gravitational pull the Moon exerts on global oceans. When a full moon aligns with perigee, it reinforces spring tides and produces higher highs and lower lows than standard tidal cycles, NASA explained.
Coastal water levels depend on more than just lunar alignment.
Local geography, wind patterns, atmospheric pressure, and coastline shapes all influence tidal heights.
Supermoons do not automatically trigger widespread coastal flooding. Residents in coastal zones still need to monitor local weather warnings and tide forecasts issued by relevant authorities.
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