November’s Beaver Moon: The Largest and Brightest Supermoon of 2025
The upcoming full moon, known as November’s Beaver Moon, will be the closest supermoon of 2025 and promises to shine brightly for several days.
Timing and Astronomical Context
The beaver supermoon will rise on Wednesday, November 5, with its peak illumination occurring at 8:19 a.m. It will appear low on the horizon and, like the October Harvest Moon, will rise around the same time for consecutive nights.
Significance of the November Beaver Supermoon
This moon is the second in a sequence of three supermoons occurring consecutively in 2025. It will pass closest to Earth this year, at a distance of 221,817 miles, making it the largest and brightest full moon of the year.
Visual Appearance
As the beaver supermoon rises and sets near the horizon, it will appear larger and take on an orange hue that complements the autumn season. This coloring results from the moonlight passing through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere, creating an optical illusion rather than a true change in color.
Meteor Showers to Watch
- The supermoon will rise amid the peak of the southern Taurids meteor shower.
- The northern Taurids peak the following week after the beaver moon.
- The popular Leonids meteor shower will begin shortly after the Taurids.
The Almanac states, "November's supermoon will orbit closer to Earth than any other full moon this year with the nearest point at 221,817 miles."
“The full beaver supermoon will rise on the same night the southern Taurids meteor shower peaks, followed by the northern Taurids peak the following week and the popular Leonids the week after that.”
These celestial events offer an exceptional opportunity for skywatchers in November to witness a remarkable supermoon alongside impressive meteor showers.
Author's summary: November’s Beaver Moon will be 2025’s closest and brightest supermoon, coinciding with peaks in Taurids and Leonids meteor showers, creating a spectacular astronomical event.