Skygazers across the United States on Friday will have one last chance to catch a glimpse of a supermoon before the year ends.

November’s full moon, called the Beaver Moon, will appear larger and brighter than a regular full moon. The moon, which says NASA will rise at 4:29 p.m. ET Friday, is the fourth supermoon in a row since August. The supermoon’s rise and rise time will shift somewhat based on the viewer’s location, according to Christopher Palma, teaching professor and adviser in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State University.

“For Central PA, where I am, the moon rises at 4:29 p.m. on Nov. 15 and sets the next morning at 8:04 a.m., so it’s visible for about 15 ½ hours. For the DC area, the times only change by a few minutes, says Palma.

The moon is considered “super” when it is full and its orbit is closest to Earth, according to NASA — although the term “supermoon” isn’t official. Its presence can cause tides to be higher than normal, says the authority. The celestial phenomenon occurs three to four times a year – in a cluster or back-to-back full moons.

November’s supermoon will appear full for nearly three days from Thursday morning until sunrise Sunday morning, says NASA. No special equipment is needed to see it but the best view depends on the weather.

“I’m definitely in favor of everyone observing the moon, and when it’s at its largest when it’s full, that’s the easiest time to observe it,” Palma says, adding that people should use a moon map to identify features on the lunar surface. “One place to start is to look for the crater Tycho.”

The crater is believed to be one of the youngest and most prominent craters on the moon and can be seen as a bright spot on its surface in the lower hemisphere, NASA said.

If you miss this supermoon, you won’t be able to see the next one until October 2025, says Palma. Then there will be three supermoons in a row.

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