Beaver Moon Supermoon on Nov. 5 — 2025’s Largest, Brightest Full Moon and a Stellar Meteor Show

Beaver Moon Supermoon — What to Know

The next full moon — the November Beaver Moon — will be the largest and brightest supermoon of 2025. It is the second of three consecutive supermoons this season and will rise in the constellation Taurus during the peak of the southern Taurid meteor shower, then lead into the northern Taurids and the popular Leonid shower.

When to watch

The Beaver Moon will rise on Wednesday, Nov. 5, with peak illumination at 8:19 a.m. ET. When low on the horizon it may look noticeably larger and take on an orange hue — an atmospheric effect caused by moonlight passing through more of Earth's atmosphere.

Why it's a supermoon

A "supermoon" occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth (perigee). The Farmer's Almanac estimates this November full moon will come within about 221,817 miles of Earth. For context, NASA often cites typical near-perigee distances around 226,000 miles in examples; actual distances vary by orbit. Because the Moon is nearer, it can appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.

Meteor showers to watch

Earth will be passing through several meteor streams in November:

• Southern Taurids (active Sept. 20–Nov. 20): peak night Nov. 4–5, coinciding with the Beaver Moon. These are usually slow and modest (roughly five meteors per hour) but are known for bright fireballs this year.
• Northern Taurids (active Oct. 20–Dec. 10): peak night Nov. 11–12. Their overlap with the southern stream can enhance fireball activity in the days around the peaks.
• Leonids (active Nov. 6–30): peak morning Nov. 18, with the best viewing on the night of Nov. 17 when the waning crescent Moon will provide darker skies. Leonid rates are typically 10–15 meteors per hour, sometimes more.

Viewing tips

For the best meteor-watching experience, go to as dark a site as possible around midnight, lie back to view a wide portion of sky, and allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. Dress warmly and bring a chair or blanket.

Other details

Full moon names such as "Beaver Moon" come from Native American, Colonial American and European folklore. According to the Farmer's Almanac, the November moon historically signaled early snow in parts of the northern U.S. and Canada and reminded beavers (and trappers) of the coming winter months.

Key moon phases

New Moon: Oct. 21   First Quarter: Oct. 29   Full Moon (Beaver Moon): Nov. 5   Last Quarter: Nov. 12   New Moon: Nov. 20   First Quarter: Nov. 28

Looking ahead, the December full moon (the Cold Supermoon) will occur on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. The winter solstice falls on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, offering the year’s shortest day (about 9 hours, 17 minutes of daylight).

Article originally reported by Maria Francis on NorthJersey.com and compiled with facts from the Farmer’s Almanac, NASA, EarthSky and Space.com.