The Beaver Moon will reach its dazzling peak early Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025, marking one of the most spectacular lunar events of the year.
As the second of four consecutive supermoons, this full moon will shine as the biggest and brightest of 2025, captivating stargazers across the world.
The Closest Moon of the Year
According to EarthSky, the Beaver Moon will come within 221,817 miles of Earth, making it the closest approach of the year—nearly 2,800 miles closer than October’s Harvest Moon. It will rise low on the east-southeast horizon and set in the west-southwest, giving early risers and night owls alike a stunning view.
NASA explains that a supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with perigee, its closest point to Earth in orbit—around 224,895 miles away. “Because the orbit of the moon is not a perfect circle, the moon is sometimes closer to the Earth than at other times,” the agency notes. As a result, supermoons appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than the smallest full moons, though the moon itself does not change in size.
Why It’s Called the Beaver Moon
The Old Farmer’s Almanac attributes the name “Beaver Moon” to Native American and colonial American traditions. It marked the time when beavers prepared for winter—and when trappers set their beaver traps before waterways froze.
