Written by Erika Davis

You’ve probably heard the term “supermoon” before. It’s a popular name for what astronomers define as a full moon in perigee, meaning that it is at its point closest to the Earth. While this fascinating “moon illusion” isn’t exactly uncommon, having multiple in a row is. Usually, the lunar cycle will only have about three supermoons spread out over a period of fourteen months, but when conditions are just right more and more are possible. Such conditions are allowing people all over the world to experience one such unique series in the coming months. This streak began on October 6th, then continues on November 5th and December 6th, before ending with one more supermoon on January 3, 2026.

Supermoons have traditionally signaled important seasonal events amongst various cultures. With the arrival of each one, Indigenous communities and early settlers across North America knew that change would soon be coming to the environments around them, and that they had work to do to be able to survive it. The names they were originally given by these people still can be heard today, having been passed down through generations by storytelling and other records.

For example, October’s supermoon is the Harvest Moon, and usually occurs around the autumnal equinox. The title comes from agricultural practices found in the Northern Hemisphere. Before electricity was widespread, farmers relied on the surplus moonlight to have extra time at night to harvest crops. This phenomenon usually lasts for at least a few days, allowing for lots of extended, and often safer, working hours.

November’s moon is known as the Beaver Moon, which has evolved from various Indigenous communities commenting on how they would regularly spot beavers beginning to prepare for winter by repairing and building their shelters. They knew then that they had to finish their own preparations if they wanted to survive the harsher weather that was coming. During this time, it was also common for trappers to take the beavers’ actions as their cue to get the last of their hunts in before the rivers froze over and animals began to hibernate.

The Cold Moon of December is a major seasonal turning point, hence the name. It’s during this time of the year that the nights get longer and colder, and cultures like the Mohawk of North America used this celestial event to officially signify that winter had arrived. They also sometimes referred to it as “The Long Night Moon” for similar reasons.

Finally, the Wolf Moon of January. This moon signifies that we are truly within the throngs of winter. During this time of the year, wolves in the wild are more likely to be heard howling, as the cold air allows for sound to travel farther. Despite phrases such as “howling at the moon”, this is not actually what they are doing. Wolves howl for various reasons, but not directly at the moon. They do this to communicate with their packs, signal for lost members, or even to mark territory.

As amazing as this phenomenon is, the differences between how we perceive the normal moon and a supermoon is quite subtle to the naked eye. According to National Geographic, the best way to see the change is at sunset. As the sun goes down, step outside and look eastward. As the moon begins to rise, more details than normal will be visible, such as the difference in how big it appears and how much light is being reflected. With binoculars or a telescope, you will also be able to make out more craters, mountain ranges, and even a few of the dark “seas” that dot the moon’s landscape! For a unique way to experience a supermoon, ABNC offers special supermoon night hikes, providing the chance to observe this magnificent celestial phenomenon as it rises over the quiet beauty of the preserve.

Sources and more information:

Close Encounters of the Lunar Kind: A Rare Supermoon Series is Here!