November Skywatch: 2025's Brightest Supermoon and Two Fireball Meteor Showers

Must-see astronomical events this November

November delivers an excellent month for skywatching across the U.S., featuring the year's largest and brightest Supermoon and several active meteor showers that can produce dramatic fireballs.

Full Beaver Supermoon — Nov. 5
The Full Beaver Moon arrives on Nov. 5 and reaches its official peak at about 8:20 a.m. ET. Because that peak occurs during daytime for much of North America, plan to observe the Moon the night before (Nov. 4) or the night after (Nov. 5) to catch it at its most impressive. This Supermoon will appear larger and brighter than most full moons in 2025.

Why it's called a Beaver Moon
The Farmer's Almanac cites several origins for the name: some link it to Native American beaver-trapping activities in preparation for winter, while others associate it with beavers building winter dams before waterways freeze.

What is a Supermoon?
The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, not perfectly circular. During its roughly 27-day orbit it reaches a closest point (perigee) and a farthest point (apogee). When a full Moon coincides with perigee it appears noticeably larger and brighter — a phenomenon commonly called a Supermoon. NASA notes that "Supermoon" is not a formal astronomical term but is typically used when a full Moon occurs within about 90% of its closest distance to Earth.

Taurid meteor activity — early to mid-November
Two related streams, the Southern and Northern Taurids, will be active in November. The Southern Taurids are expected to be active through Nov. 20 and are predicted to peak around Nov. 5, when their fireball-rich "swarm" component is strongest, according to the American Meteorological Society. The Northern Taurids tend to peak around Nov. 11–12 and also produce bright, slow-moving fireballs late in the season.

Leonid meteor shower — Nov. 16–17
The Leonids are a major annual shower and are forecast to peak in mid-November, around the night of Nov. 16 into the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 17. Under ideal, dark-sky conditions observers may see roughly 10–20 meteors per hour this year; a waning Moon at that time should reduce lunar glare and improve visibility. NASA notes the Leonids can produce storm-level displays (~1,000 meteors/hour) roughly every 33 years — the last such storm was in 2002 and another true storm is not expected until around 2099.

Other activity
Although the Orionids peaked in late October, they remain active through Nov. 7 and can still produce occasional bright fireballs early in the month.

Viewing tips
For the best experience: find a dark site away from city lights, give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark, and dress warmly. Meteor showers are best enjoyed with the naked eye; binoculars or telescopes narrow your field of view and make meteors harder to catch. Share your photos and sightings with local astronomy clubs or on social media using evening skywatch hashtags.

Note: times are approximate and given in Eastern Time (ET); local viewing times will vary by time zone and weather. Check local forecasts and astronomy resources for updated peak-time predictions.