Get ready to look up this week! The night sky is preparing to put on a beautiful double show — a glowing full beaver supermoon and a meteor shower. Both will reach their peak on Wednesday, creating one of the brightest and most exciting celestial displays of the season.
A Dazzling Supermoon Lights Up the Sky
The full beaver moon will officially peak at 8:19 a.m. ET on Wednesday, but since it will be below the horizon at that exact time, the best chance to see it will be on Tuesday night and Wednesday evening. Step outside after sunset, and you’ll see the moon shining large and bright, appearing a little closer and more luminous than usual.
This supermoon is called the “beaver moon” because, in the past, this was the time of year when beavers worked hard to build their dams and prepare for winter. Many Indigenous communities also have their own names for this moon — the Tlingit people call it the “digging moon,” the Dakota refer to it as the “deer rutting moon,” and the Cree people know it as the “frost moon.” Each name reflects what was happening in nature during this season.
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A supermoon occurs when the moon comes closest to Earth in its orbit — a point known as perigee. This makes it appear slightly larger and brighter than an average full moon. The difference may be subtle to the naked eye, but it’s still a magical sight. This is the second of three back-to-back supermoons this year, so skywatchers still have one more to look forward to in December.
If you’re lucky enough to have clear skies, you won’t need any equipment to enjoy the view — just your eyes. But if clouds cover your area, you can still watch it online. A livestream of the full moon over Manciano, Italy, will begin at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, allowing viewers everywhere to enjoy the show virtually.
Fireballs and Meteors to Follow the Supermoon
The night sky’s excitement doesn’t stop with the supermoon. The Southern Taurid meteor shower will also reach its peak around 8 a.m. ET on Wednesday, filling the sky with streaks of light.
This meteor shower may not produce as many meteors as some others — you can expect around five meteors per hour — but it is famous for something far more impressive: fireballs. These are especially bright meteors that shine for several seconds before fading away. Some years, the Taurids have created dramatic fireballs visible across large areas of the sky, leading many to nickname them the “Halloween fireballs.”
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The Southern Taurids come from debris left behind by a small comet known as 2P/Encke. This comet has the shortest orbit of any known comet, circling the sun every 3.3 years. As Earth passes through its trail of dust and rocks, some of those tiny pieces enter our atmosphere and burn up, creating the glowing streaks we see.
This year, experts say the Taurids could be especially interesting because Earth is expected to pass through a fresh cluster of larger debris, which increases the chance of seeing bright fireballs. However, the bright supermoon might make it harder to see the smaller meteors, as its light will wash out the faint streaks.
Still, it’s worth stepping outside for a look — even one fireball can make the night unforgettable.
When and Where to Watch the Sky Show
If you want the best view of both the supermoon and the meteor shower, here are a few simple tips to follow.
- Pick the right time:
For the moon, step outside just after sunset on Tuesday and Wednesday. The moon will rise in the east and appear big and bright. For meteors, look up anytime after dark until early morning. The Taurids are most visible when the sky is at its darkest, away from artificial light.
- Find the best spot:
Choose a place away from city lights — parks, beaches, or open countryside areas are perfect. The darker your surroundings, the more stars and meteors you’ll be able to see.
- Be patient and let your eyes adjust:
When you first go outside, give your eyes 10 to 15 minutes to get used to the darkness. This will help you spot fainter meteors that you might otherwise miss.
- Look toward the right area of the sky:
The Taurid meteors appear to come from the constellation Taurus, near Aries, which will rise in the east. But don’t stare in one direction — meteors can streak across any part of the sky.
- Check the weather:
Clear skies are key. If clouds block your view, you can still catch the supermoon livestream online.
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The Taurids can be seen from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, though they slightly favor the north. In southern regions such as Australia or South Africa, fewer meteors might be visible because the radiant point (where they seem to originate) is lower in the sky.
Even with the moonlight, this week offers a rare opportunity to witness two cosmic events blending together — a glowing supermoon lighting up the sky and meteors streaking across the darkness. Grab a blanket, find a quiet spot, and take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the universe above.
