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Image: The full moon rising at Cape D'Aguilar, Hong Kong. (Image credit: Guang Cao via Getty Images)
The take: November's supermoon is the closest full moon to Earth in over six years.
What happened: On 5 November 2025 at 8:19 AM EST, the Beaver Moon reaches peak illumination at just 221,818 miles from Earth, the closest full moon since February 2019.
Why it matters: NASA confirms it'll appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon, bright enough to cast shadows on the ground and wash out fainter stars.
What to watch: Best viewing is the evenings of 4 and 5 November, right after sunset, when the moon rises low on the eastern horizon and the "moon illusion" makes it look larger than when overhead.
Every month brings another "super" or "rare" moon. This time, the astronomers aren't lying. The moon will actually be bigger and brighter.
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Here’s Your Brew
The term "supermoon" has been applied to many full moons in recent years, sometimes creating confusion about which lunar events are particularly notable.
NASA confirms the November supermoon will appear larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
The increased brightness will be sufficient to cast visible shadows on the ground and will wash out fainter stars in the night sky.
Optimal viewing occurs on the evenings of November 4 and 5, shortly after sunset.
When the moon rises low on the eastern horizon, the "moon illusion" makes it appear dramatically larger than when it's overhead.
This optical illusion occurs because the brain compares the moon to objects on the horizon, such as trees and buildings, making it appear bigger despite being the same size.
November's full moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon.
The name comes from Native American and colonial traditions, marking the time when beavers finish building their winter dams and trappers would set beaver traps before the waters froze.
Such close approaches occur infrequently, making the November 2025 event astronomically significant for observers.
Clear weather conditions will provide the best viewing experience for this rare close approach.
Two Sides, One Mug
Image: Colleen Quinnell/The Old Farmer's Almanac
Pro: A supermoon this close provides opportunities for photography, encourages observation of natural cycles, and requires no equipment or expertise.
View after sunset on November 4 or 5.
Con: The 14% size difference is subtle enough that most people won't notice without comparison.
The term "supermoon" lacks precise scientific definition.
Frequent use of the term for various full moons may reduce public interest in genuinely notable astronomical events.
Our read: This supermoon is worth observing due to its proximity to Earth.
Frequent application of "supermoon" terminology to regular full moons may reduce the perceived significance of this year's closest lunar approach.
Receipt of the Day
Old Farmer's Almanac's complete Beaver Moon guide with moonrise times by location — Published 29 October 2025
The Almanac provides moonrise calculators for every US city, explains why it's called the Beaver Moon (when beavers shelter in lodges after storing food for winter), and confirms this is the closest supermoon of 2025 at 221,817 miles.
The practical moonrise times matter more than the peak illumination—the moon will be below the horizon at 8:19 AM EST, making the evenings of 4 and 5 November the actual viewing windows.
Spit Take
"Closest full moon since February 2019."
Source: Live Science
Your Coffee Break Links (and water cooler chatter)
Newsweek covers the "moon illusion" that makes low-horizon moons appear massive — The optical trick happens when your brain compares the moon to trees and buildings, making it look dramatically larger than when it's high overhead. [Report]
Star Walk explains why November 2025's moon is technically the Hunter's Moon, not Beaver Moon — By astronomical definition, this is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon, making it the Hunter's Moon despite November full moons traditionally being called Beaver Moons. [Analysis]
Vice notes that November also brings meteor showers and enhanced aurora activity — The Taurids meteor shower peaks 4-5 November (same nights as the supermoon), and 2025's solar maximum means northern lights may be visible at lower latitudes than usual. [Report]
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