PHOTOS: Why this November full moon is called a beaver supermoon

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A full beaver supermoon graced the Central Texas area Tuesday night, and some viewers shared their photos and video with KXAN.

While visuals are always great, what exactly is a supermoon? They happen a few times a year, and no special equipment is needed to view the supermoon if clear skies permit, according to The Associated Press.

"Supermoon is a catchy term for what astronomers call a perigean Full Moon, which is when the Full Moon happens at or near its closest point to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit," an article from the Farmer's Almanac said.

The Farmer's Almanac said this specific supermoon is referred to as a "beaver" because it is "the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having laid up sufficient food stores for the long winter ahead." The website said November moon names "always highlight the actions of animals preparing for winter and the onset of colder days ahead."

This November supermoon is the closest of the year, according to the Farmer's Almanac. It appears "7% large -- which can be an imperceptible difference to the human eye, depending on other conditions."

KXAN viewer Antonio Garcia sent a photo of the beaver supermoon that could be seen from Pecos Wednesday morning.

Viewer Eric Lavallee also sent a photo of the beaver supermoon from north Austin, and viewer Kathryn McGregor sent a photo of it from Wimberley.

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