The night sky is putting on a show this week as the Beaver Supermoon—the largest and brightest full moon of 2025—rises in all its autumnal glory. Stargazers and night owls across North America are in for a treat, with the moon appearing especially large, luminous, and tinged with a striking orange hue.
Why This Full Moon Is So Special
This November’s full moon, known as the
Beaver Moon, isn’t just any lunar event. It’s a
supermoon, meaning the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit (called perigee), making it appear bigger and brighter than usual. In fact, this is the closest full moon of the entire year, coming within about 221,817 miles of Earth—significantly closer than the average 238,900 miles.
The Beaver Supermoon will reach its peak brightness at 8:19 a.m. ET on Wednesday, November 5, but the best viewing opportunities are the nights of November 4 and 5, when the moon will rise low on the horizon and appear especially large and orange. This orange tint is an optical illusion caused by the moon’s light passing through more of Earth’s atmosphere when it’s near the horizon.
The Meaning Behind the “Beaver Moon”
The name “Beaver Moon” has roots in both Native American traditions and early American settler folklore. It marks the time when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges for winter, and when fur trappers would set their traps before the waterways froze. Other traditional names for November’s full moon include the
Whitefish Moon,
Rutting Moon, and
Frost Moon.
A Celestial Double Feature: Meteor Showers
This year’s Beaver Supermoon coincides with the
peak of the Southern Taurids meteor shower, adding extra sparkle to the night sky. The Northern Taurids and the famous Leonids meteor shower will follow in the coming weeks, making November a prime month for skywatchers.
How to Get the Best View
-
Look low on the horizon just after sunset for the most dramatic, oversized effect.
- The moon will appear nearly full and bright for several nights, so don’t worry if you miss the exact peak.
- For photographers, the orange “moon illusion” near the horizon makes for stunning shots.
What’s Next for Moon Lovers?
This Beaver Supermoon is the second in a trio of consecutive supermoons for 2025, so if you miss this one, there’s still another chance coming up. But with its combination of size, brightness, and meteor showers, November’s full moon is the undisputed highlight of the lunar calendar this year.
Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just love a good moonrise, step outside tonight and soak in the celestial spectacle. The universe doesn’t put on a show like this every night.
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