Beaver Moon, Leonid meteor shower to illuminate weekend sky

Stargazers are in for a treat this weekend, with two celestial events coinciding: the Beaver Moon – the final supermoon of the year – and the spectacular Leonid meteor shower, according to American local media.

The Beaver Moon reached its peak fullness at 4:29 p.m. US Eastern Time (2129GMT) on Friday and will be visible until just before sunrise, NBC News reported, citing NASA.

This marked the last of four supermoons in 2024, a phenomenon in which the Moon appears larger and brighter than usual due to its closer proximity to Earth, the broadcaster reported.

As it rises, viewers may witness a "moon illusion," in which the supermoon appears even larger than it is, an effect thought to be caused by brain perception rather than any actual change in the Moon's size or distance.

The Moon's position in the sky creates this optical illusion, though the exact cause remains unclear, the media outlet quoted NASA's Preston Dyches as saying.

The Beaver Moon gets its name from the time of year when beavers prepare for hibernation.

Adding to the excitement, the Leonid meteor shower will peak on Saturday, creating a dazzling show of shooting stars to complement the lunar spectacle.