Top Local Spots To See The Supermoon Tonight

Gaston County (WNN) - National Geographic has announced that tonight, November 4th, marks the biggest and brightest moon we'll see until November 2026! 

This lunar event is also known as the Beaver Moon, or more commonly, a supermoon. Why is it called a Beaver Moon? November is an especially active month for beavers, as they prepare their lodges for the winter season. During this time, the full moon shines the brightest, hence the name Beaver Moon. The more technical term, Supermoon, refers to when the moon's orbit brings it closer to Earth, creating an optical illusion of a larger moon in the night sky.

We've gathered some of the best local spots for prime Supermoon viewing tonight:

A view overlooking the horizon at Crowders Mountain State Park

Ashley Reep (WNN)

• Crowders Mountain State Park - For those up for an early evening hike, this location provides an eastward view of Charlotte's skyline and, no doubt, the Supermoon as well. The hours of operation for this park are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in November.
• Kings Mountain State Park - While not in Gaston County, the mountain's higher elevation means there is a better chance of seeing the moon without any visual obstructions. The park grounds are open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the park office closing at 5:00 PM.

Now that we've "fallen back" for daylight savings time, the best time to view the Supermoon is around 4:40 PM this evening. If you can't make it to any of the locations listed above, any open area with a clear view of the eastern horizon will do just fine.

If you think we missed a stellar viewing spot, share your favorite location with us, and don't forget to include your Supermoon photos!