Overview
- The full moon reaches peak illumination at 8:19 a.m. EST on Nov. 5, making it the closest and brightest full moon of the year.
- This is the second of three consecutive supermoons and is expected to be the closest approach of the trio.
- Observers are advised to watch shortly after sunset on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, looking east with no telescope required and steady support recommended for phone photos.
- Bright moonlight may reduce visibility of the Southern Taurids around Nov. 4–5, whereas the Northern Taurids (mid-November) and the Leonids (Nov. 17–19) should be easier to spot under darker skies.
- Saturn’s rings will appear edge-on and nearly vanish through telescopes during a ring-plane crossing on Nov. 23.