Beaver Supermoon 2025: Year’s biggest, brightest and closest Moon to light up the night on Nov 5

Beaver Supermoon 2025: Year’s Closest and Brightest Moon to Dazzle Skies on November 5 (Image: Canva)

Skywatchers are in for a special treat as the Beaver Supermoon lights up the sky on 5 November. The full moon is set to appear larger and brighter than usual and will be the closest lunar encounter of 2025.

Why is this year's Beaver Supermoon special?

It is called the Beaver Moon because it occurs during the season when beavers are busiest, constructing their winter dams in preparation for the cold. Native American tribes also called it the Frost Moon, Freezing Moon, or Snow Moon. This year’s event is particularly significant as it coincides with the moon reaching its perigee, the point when it is closest to Earth. The result is a noticeably brighter and slightly larger moon, glowing about 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than the faintest full moon, according to NASA.

The Beaver Supermoon is the second of three supermoons in 2025 and the most striking of all. The moon will be just under 222,000 miles, or about 357,000 kilometres, from Earth. It will reach its brightest point on 5 November at 6:49 p.m. IST, remaining visible throughout the night, weather permitting.

How can viewers watch the supermoon in India?
No telescope or special equipment is needed to enjoy the sight. Astronomers recommend watching from open areas like rooftops, parks, or rural locations with minimal light pollution. The brightness difference may not be dramatic to the naked eye, but the full moon’s glow will still make a stunning visual display. “The difference is most obvious as a comparison between other images or observations,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, in an email.

Astronomer Lawrence Wasserman of Lowell Observatory noted that tides may rise slightly due to the moon’s proximity, though the change will be subtle. In India, the supermoon will be visible shortly after moonrise and continue to shine well into the night.

When will the next supermoon occur?
Supermoons appear a few times each year. October’s full moon already offered a slightly larger view, while December’s event will mark the final supermoon of 2025. The Beaver Supermoon, however, will remain the year’s biggest and brightest, symbolising the arrival of winter and a time for reflection and preparation.

The Beaver Supermoon will surely enchant astronomy enthusiasts and casual skywatchers alike. If skies stay clear, 5 November will offer one of the most radiant nights of the year.