The November beaver supermoon will be the closest and brightest full moon of the year, reaching about 221,817 miles from Earth at peak. In Wichita it technically peaks at 7:19 a.m. CST on Nov. 5, so the best viewing is the evening of Nov. 4 or Wednesday night. Skies are forecast to be clear and cool; the Kansas Astronomical Observers meet Nov. 15 at Lake Afton Public Observatory and welcome visitors.
Beaver Supermoon: November’s Brightest Full Moon — When to See It Over Wichita
The November beaver supermoon will be the closest and brightest full moon of the year, reaching about 221,817 miles from Earth at peak. In Wichita it technically peaks at 7:19 a.m. CST on Nov. 5, so the best viewing is the evening of Nov. 4 or Wednesday night. Skies are forecast to be clear and cool; the Kansas Astronomical Observers meet Nov. 15 at Lake Afton Public Observatory and welcome visitors.
22:40, 02.11.2025Science
Beaver Supermoon to Be the Brightest of the Year
The closest supermoon of the year — November’s beaver moon — will peak soon and is expected to look especially bright from Kansas and elsewhere. At peak, the Moon will be about 221,817 miles from Earth, making it the closest full moon of 2025 and one of the year’s most striking sky events.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon is a new or full moon that occurs when the Moon is within about 90% of its closest approach to Earth. Because of that proximity, supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when the Moon is at its farthest point, according to National Geographic. NASA notes that “supermoon” is an informal term, so definitions can vary.
Names and context
November’s full moon is traditionally called the beaver moon, a name from the Old Farmer’s Almanac referring to the time of year beavers tend to prepare their lodges. It’s also been called the digging or scratching moon, the deer rutting moon, and the whitefish moon; the almanac lists Indigenous and colonial-era North American names for these moons.
When to watch from Wichita
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the beaver supermoon will technically peak over Wichita at 7:19 a.m. Central Standard Time on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Because the Moon will be below the horizon at that exact moment, the best views will be the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 4 or later Wednesday night when the Moon is above the horizon.
TimeandDate.com lists the Moon’s rise over Wichita at 5:19 p.m. on Wednesday. Keep in mind the Moon generally appears full on the day before and the day after peak illumination, so both Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 offer excellent viewing opportunities.
Forecast and local events
AccuWeather predicts clear skies Wednesday night with a low near 50°F; Tuesday night (for early viewers) is forecast to be clear with a low around 44°F. After this beaver moon, there will be one more full moon this year — the December “cold” moon — which is also expected to be a supermoon, peaking on Thursday, Dec. 4.
The Kansas Astronomical Observers will host their monthly meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Lake Afton Public Observatory; visitors are welcome.
Viewing tips
Best times: Around moonrise on Nov. 4–5 and the evening after peak illumination.
Equipment: A pair of binoculars or a small telescope will reveal surface detail; a telephoto lens (200mm+) helps for photos. Use a tripod and experiment with short exposures to avoid overexposure.
Safety: No special precautions needed — the Moon is safe to view with the unaided eye.
Sources: Old Farmer’s Almanac, National Geographic, NASA, Discover Magazine, AccuWeather, TimeandDate.com.