Tonight marks the last supermoon of 2024, giving South African skygazers a final chance to enjoy the spectacular Beaver Moon as it shines brighter and more prominent in the November sky.

How rare is it to see a supermoon?

NASA explains that supermoons occur three to four times yearly and always consecutively.

Full supermoons are the biggest and brightest full moons of the year, appearing approximately 30% brighter and 14% larger than usual.

In South Africa, August’s full moon is named Milk Moon.

The name comes after the Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH) identified 23 concepts (one for each first Full Moon in a calendar month plus one for a possible second Full Moon) representing essential cognates to “South Africa.”

According to Edward Foster, a director of the organisation, the Milk Moon carries significant cultural and agricultural importance in South Africa.

He told the media that milk is an important agricultural product and dietary component in modern day South Africa and the dairy industry employs a substantial number of people at many levels.

“Milk also has deep historical roots in pre-colonial South Africa”

“For the pastoral KhoiKhoi, contrary to popular and general historic perception, meat was not the major protein source in their diet, it was milk. When Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652, the KhoiKhoi welcomed him by offering him a drink of fresh milk,” he added.

“South Africans have been confused by these Full Moon names since wolves never roamed the South African shores an, d it does not snow in February.

“Not only are these names irrelevant in the South African context, but an opportunity to celebrate what is iconic and proudly South African is lost with each setting Full Moon.”

The CfAH is a non-profit company working to protect South Africa’s astronomical heritage.

Here is a list of South African full moons in 2024:

• Jan 25, 19:54 Mantis Moon
• Feb 24, 14:30 Dassie Moon
• Mar 25, 09:00 Harvest Moon
• Apr 23, 01:54 Diamond Moon
• May 23, 15:54 Frost Moon
• Jun 22, 03:12 Sisters Moon
• Jul 21, 12:12 Meerkat Moon
• Aug 19, 20:24 Peace Moon
• Sep 18, 04:36 Spring Moon
• Oct 17, 13:30 Whale Moon
• Nov 15, 23:30 Milk Moon
• Dec 15, 11:06 Springbok Moon

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