The Beaver Moon—2025’s brightest and closest supermoon—peaks at 8:19 a.m. EDT on Nov. 5 but will be best seen the evenings of Nov. 4–5. At perigee it will be about 221,817 miles from Earth. Local example moonrise times for White Plains are roughly 3:59 p.m. on Nov. 4 and 4:33 p.m. on Nov. 5. November also features the Southern Taurids (peak Nov. 4–5), Northern Taurids (Nov. 11–12) and the Leonids (peak Nov. 16–17).
Beaver Moon — 2025’s Biggest, Brightest Supermoon Peaks Nov. 5
The Beaver Moon—2025’s brightest and closest supermoon—peaks at 8:19 a.m. EDT on Nov. 5 but will be best seen the evenings of Nov. 4–5. At perigee it will be about 221,817 miles from Earth. Local example moonrise times for White Plains are roughly 3:59 p.m. on Nov. 4 and 4:33 p.m. on Nov. 5. November also features the Southern Taurids (peak Nov. 4–5), Northern Taurids (Nov. 11–12) and the Leonids (peak Nov. 16–17).
22:08, 04.11.2025Science
Beaver Moon: The Biggest Supermoon of 2025
The full Beaver Moon will reach peak illumination on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at 8:19 a.m. EDT, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Because the moon will be below the horizon at the exact moment of peak brightness, it's best to view it on the evenings of Tuesday, Nov. 4 and Wednesday, Nov. 5.
What makes it a supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth (perigee) in its elliptical orbit. NASA notes that a supermoon appears larger and brighter than an ordinary full moon. This November’s supermoon is the closest of 2025, coming within approximately 221,817 miles of Earth, per the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Names and seasonal meaning
The Beaver Moon takes its name from North American seasonal tradition: it marks the time when beavers take shelter in their lodges and when trappers historically prepared for winter by harvesting beaver pelts. Other traditional names include the Digging (or Scratching) Moon, the Frost or Freezing Moon, the Deer Rutting Moon, and the Whitefish Moon.
Local moon timings (example)
Per the Old Farmer's Almanac, example timings for the White Plains area are:
- Tuesday, Nov. 4 — moonrise about 3:59 p.m., moonset about 5:18 a.m. (Wednesday, Nov. 5)
- Wednesday, Nov. 5 — moonrise about 4:33 p.m., moonset about 6:41 a.m. (Thursday, Nov. 7)
Timing varies by location; check a local almanac, astronomy app, or planetarium for precise rise/set times in your area.
Other notable celestial events in November
November brings several meteor showers that skywatchers may catch alongside—or shortly after—the supermoon. According to the American Meteor Society:
- Southern Taurids (fireball swarm component): expected to peak Nov. 4–5—coinciding with the supermoon—and remain active through Nov. 20.
- Northern Taurids: active through Dec. 10, with a peak around Nov. 11–12.
- Leonids: become active Nov. 6, peak around Nov. 16–17, and remain active through Nov. 30.
Looking ahead
The next full moon, the Cold Moon, will occur on Thursday, Dec. 4, and is listed as the third supermoon of 2025. Example moonrise times cited were roughly 3:58 p.m. in the Rochester area and about 3:51 p.m. in the Westchester area for that event.
Tips for viewing
- Plan to view on the evenings of Nov. 4–5 when the moon is above the horizon and visibly bright.
- Use binoculars or a telephoto lens for a closer view, and include a foreground object (tree, building) for scale in photos.
- Check weather and local moonrise/moonset times for your exact location before heading out.
Source: Old Farmer's Almanac, NASA, and the American Meteor Society. Reporting originally from the Rockland/Westchester Journal News.