Beaver Moon peaks Nov. 5, 2025: The full moon reaches peak illumination at 8:19 A.M. EST and will be the largest, brightest supermoon of 2025 at about 221,823 miles from Earth. Supermoons can look up to ~14% larger and ~30% brighter and can produce higher tides. The National Weather Service in Louisville expects mostly clear skies Nov. 4–5, and the Orionids meteor shower remains active through Nov. 22.
Beaver Moon Peaks Nov. 5, 2025 — Year's Largest, Brightest Supermoon
Beaver Moon peaks Nov. 5, 2025: The full moon reaches peak illumination at 8:19 A.M. EST and will be the largest, brightest supermoon of 2025 at about 221,823 miles from Earth. Supermoons can look up to ~14% larger and ~30% brighter and can produce higher tides. The National Weather Service in Louisville expects mostly clear skies Nov. 4–5, and the Orionids meteor shower remains active through Nov. 22.
15:22, 04.11.2025Science
Beaver full moon peaks Nov. 5, 2025 — the year's biggest and brightest supermoon
The Beaver full moon will reach peak illumination on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, and is expected to be the largest and brightest supermoon of the year for observers in Louisville and beyond.
Moon phases around November 2025:
- First Quarter: Oct. 29, 2025
- Full Moon (Beaver Moon): Nov. 5, 2025
- Last Quarter: Nov. 12, 2025
- New Moon: Nov. 20, 2025
- First Quarter: Nov. 28, 2025
The name "Beaver Moon" comes from Native American traditions and early American colonists, as recorded by the Old Farmer's Almanac. It historically marked the season when beavers prepared for winter; fur trappers also used this time to harvest pelts. Other traditional names for November's full moon include the Whitefish Moon, the Deer Rutting Moon, and the Frost Moon.
What makes it a "supermoon"?
NASA defines a "supermoon" as a new or full moon that occurs near perigee — the point in the Moon's orbit when it is closest to Earth. This November full moon will be the closest full moon of 2025, at an estimated distance of about 221,823 miles from Earth, more than 2,000 miles closer than October's full moon.
When conditions align, supermoons can appear up to about 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moons of the year. The visual size increase is often subtle to casual observers, but the Moon's closer proximity does have measurable effects on Earth, such as slightly higher tides.
Viewing details and local conditions
The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the Beaver Moon's peak illumination at 8:19 A.M. EST on Nov. 5, 2025. For exact moonrise and moonset times at your location, enter your ZIP code on the Almanac's moon tool online.
The National Weather Service in Louisville currently forecasts mostly clear skies from the night of Tuesday, Nov. 4 into the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 5 — a favorable window for viewing.
Other sky events
The Orionids meteor shower, produced by debris from Halley's Comet, peaked on Oct. 21 but remains active through about Nov. 22. Astronomers say late October provided the best viewing, with rates up to roughly 20 meteors per hour, but sporadic meteors may still be visible in early November.
Tools and tips
To help locate the Moon, stars and constellations, try free astronomy apps such as SkyView Lite, Star Walk 2, Star Chart and the NASA app (available for iPhone and Android). For coastal residents, be aware that supermoons can contribute to higher-than-normal tides and plan accordingly.
Quick tip: Viewing the Moon when it is near the horizon — during moonrise or moonset — can make it appear larger due to an optical illusion. Use binoculars or a small telescope for more detail.