Beaver Moon Is a Supermoon — When and How to Watch on Nov. 5

Beaver Moon Is a Supermoon — What to Know

The second-to-last full moon of the year, commonly called the Beaver Moon, will reach peak fullness on Nov. 5 at 8:19 a.m., according to TimeandDate.com. This November full moon is also a supermoon, meaning it occurs near the Moon's closest approach to Earth and will appear slightly brighter than a typical full moon.

When to watch

Key upcoming lunar phases this month are:

• Full Moon (Beaver Moon): Nov. 5 at 8:19 a.m. (TimeandDate.com)
• Last Quarter: Nov. 12 at 12:28 a.m. (Old Farmer’s Almanac)
• New Moon: Nov. 20 at 1:47 a.m. (Old Farmer’s Almanac)
• First Quarter: Nov. 28 at 1:59 a.m. (Old Farmer’s Almanac)

What makes it a supermoon?

A supermoon appears when a full moon or new moon occurs close to lunar perigee — the point in the Moon’s orbit nearest Earth. As the Old Farmer’s Almanac explains:

"A supermoon exceeds the disk size of an average-sized Moon by up to 8% and the brightness of an average-sized full Moon by some 16%. You may not perceive the difference in size, but a supermoon will appear brighter in the sky."

November’s Beaver Moon will be about 221,817 miles from Earth at its closest approach, making it the nearest supermoon of the year. It is the second supermoon of the year and the second of three consecutive supermoons.

Why the name "Beaver Moon" — and other traditional names

The name Beaver Moon comes from traditional observations of beaver behavior: this is the season when beavers build or reinforce dams to prepare for winter, and brighter nights around a full moon may help their nocturnal activity (TimeandDate.com).

Different cultures have given November’s full moon many names. Native American traditions have called it the Frost Moon, Freezing Moon or Trading Moon. Celtic tradition sometimes refers to it as the Mourning Moon or the Darkest Depths Moon — names often reserved for the last full moon before the December solstice, which can fall in November or December depending on the year.

Looking ahead

The December full moon, often called the Cold Moon, will reach fullness on Dec. 4 at 6:14 p.m., according to TimeandDate.com. The Mohawk people named it for its timing with the onset of winter cold; it is also known as the Long Nights Moon or the Moon Before Yule.

Whether you plan to step outside with a camera, watch from a dark-sky site, or simply enjoy the view from your window, the Beaver Moon’s supermoon status means it should look a touch brighter than a typical full moon.