Brightest supermoon of 2025 lights up the sky this week
As November begins, skywatchers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Full Beaver Moon, set to illuminate the night sky on November 5, 2025. This event marks the second of three consecutive supermoons this year and is expected to be the brightest of them all, outshining December’s Cold Moon. The peak illumination will occur at 8:19 a.m. EST, but for those who may miss it during the day, the best viewing opportunities will be on the evenings of November 5 and 6, as the moon rises in the east during twilight hours. To plan your viewing, you can utilize a moonrise and moonset calculator from the Farmer’s Almanac to find the exact times in your location.
The term “supermoon” refers to a full moon that occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, which can be approximately 222,000 miles away during this event. NASA notes that a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moon, which in 2025 was the April Pink Moon. The Beaver Moon, named after the time when beavers prepare for winter by taking shelter in their lodges, has historical roots in Native American traditions. It serves as a reminder of the natural cycles that govern wildlife behavior and the changing seasons. Additionally, November’s full moon is also referred to as the “Freezing Moon,” highlighting the colder temperatures that accompany this time of year.
While supermoons do influence tidal patterns due to the moon’s gravitational pull, the effect is relatively modest, resulting in only slight increases in tide levels compared to regular full moons. However, during spring or king tides—when the sun’s gravitational pull aligns with that of the moon—tides can be significantly higher. For optimal viewing of the supermoon, it’s advisable to find a dark location away from city lights and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes. For those interested in capturing the beauty of the supermoon through photography, there are several tips available to help you take stunning lunar images. As we gear up for this celestial spectacle, it’s a perfect time to appreciate the wonders of the night sky and the natural world around us.
As the year’s penultimate month kicks off, the
year’s brightest supermoon
is almost here. The Full Beaver Moon rises on Wednesday, November 5 and you can view it through Thursday, November 6. While this is the second in a series of three consecutive
supermoons
, it will be brighter than December’s Cold Moon. Here is what you need to know.
When is November’s supermoon?
November’s full moon will reach peak illumination in the US
Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 8:19 a.m. EST
.
However, since the sun will already be up for many of us, be sure to look out on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, as the moon rises in the east during twilight. You can use this
handy moonrise and moonset calculator
from the Farmer’s Almanac to calculate when the moon rises and sets where you live.
What is a supermoon?
November’s full moon is only the second supermoon of 2025 and it is expected to be its brightest. The moon will come within about 222,000 miles of Earth this week.
When the moon orbits the Earth, it does not follow a perfect circle. As it moves around our home planet, it will get
nearer and farther in more of an elliptical shape
.
Supermoons occur when the full moon is closer to Earth in its orbit. NASA says the full moon may look
up to 14 percent bigger and about 30 percent brighter
than the faintest moon of the year.
April’s Pink Moon
was the faintest full moon of 2025.
Why is it called the Beaver Moon?
Every full moon has names that generally come from Native American tradition. The name Beaver Moon refers to the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges,
according to the Farmer’s Almanac
. By November in North America, these ace
ecosystem engineers
already have enough food stores for the long winter and hunker down in their lodges along rivers and streams. During the height of the fur trade in North America, autumn was also the season to trap beavers, as their pelts were thick and ready for winter.
According to the Center for Native American Studies
, November’s full moon is also sometimes called “Baashkaakodin Giizis,” or the Freezing Moon.
Does the supermoon affect tides?
Earth’s tides are caused by the gravitational pull between our oceans, the sun, and the moon. When the moon is closer to the Earth during a supermoon, the gravitational pull is slightly stronger and the tides are bigger. Yet this effect
does not really make a huge difference
, since there are only a few inches of difference between a regular moon tide and a supermoon tide,
according to Royal Museums Greenwich
in the United Kingdom.
The full moon and new moon tides can actually be bigger than those at other times during the lunar month, even a super moon. When the sun adds its own gravitational pull a strong
spring or king tide
is generated due to all of the water “springing forth” during a full and new moon.
The
same general skygazing rules
are key when looking up at the supermoon. Try and travel to a dark spot away from the bright lights of a city or town and let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about a half an hour. You can also consult
these handy tips to photograph the moon
like a pro.
The post
Brightest supermoon of 2025 lights up the sky this week
appeared first on
Popular Science
.
