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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.

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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.

“For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs,” the Almanac explains.

Different Indigenous tribes also gave the November moon their own distinctive names:

• Deer Rutting Moon — Cheyenne of the Great Plains
• Panther Moon — Choctaw of the Southeast
• Fledgling Hawk Moon — Hopi of the Southwest
• Turkey Moon — Potawatomi of the Great Lakes
• Frost Moon — Assiniboine of the Northern Plains and Creek of the Southeast

The 2025 Lunar Lineup

The Beaver Moon is the second of four consecutive supermoons this cycle:

• Oct. 7 – Harvest/Hunter’s Moon
• Nov. 5 – Beaver Moon
• Dec. 4 – Cold Moon
• Jan. 3, 2026 – Wolf Moon

Each one appears larger and brighter than average, a cosmic treat that happens only three or four times a year. After the Beaver Moon, December’s Cold Moon will close out 2025 as the final supermoon of the year.

For a complete guide to upcoming full moons and their traditional names, visit Sky at Night Magazine.

Don’t Miss the Beaver Moon

Astronomers and astrologers alike are calling this the most photogenic full moon of 2025. “It’s not just about how big it looks,” notes ABC News. “It’s about the light, the mood, and the reminder of how dynamic our sky really is.”