The Beaver Moon (November’s full moon) and the Taurid meteor shower peak around Nov. 5, creating a notable skywatching opportunity. This full moon is a supermoon — the closest full moon of the year at about 221,817 miles — and the South Taurids are expected strongest between midnight and 2 a.m. on Nov. 5. Watch from a dark, elevated site after midnight and give your eyes 30 minutes to adapt; the bright moon may hide many fainter meteors but brighter fireballs are possible.
Beaver Moon Meets Taurid Meteor Shower — How and When to Watch the Nov. 5 Sky Show
The Beaver Moon (November’s full moon) and the Taurid meteor shower peak around Nov. 5, creating a notable skywatching opportunity. This full moon is a supermoon — the closest full moon of the year at about 221,817 miles — and the South Taurids are expected strongest between midnight and 2 a.m. on Nov. 5. Watch from a dark, elevated site after midnight and give your eyes 30 minutes to adapt; the bright moon may hide many fainter meteors but brighter fireballs are possible.
16:54, 05.11.2025Science
Double Sky Event: Beaver Moon and Taurid Meteor Shower
It’s a busy week for skywatchers: November’s Beaver Moon will reach full phase at the same time the Taurid meteor shower is expected to peak, offering a rare pairing of a bright supermoon and slow, sometimes spectacular meteors.
What to expect
The Beaver Moon (November’s full moon) will be a supermoon — the second of three consecutive supermoons this year — meaning the lunar disk will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual. At its closest on Nov. 5, the moon will be about 221,817 miles from Earth, the nearest full moon we've seen since 2019.
The Taurid meteor shower is produced by debris from Comet 2P/Encke and actually consists of two overlapping streams: the Northern and Southern Taurids. The Southern Taurids are known for producing slow-moving meteors and occasional bright fireballs.
When and where to look
Beaver Moon peak: Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 8:19 a.m. ET (the moon will appear bright on the nights of Nov. 4–6).
South Taurids peak: Expected in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 5, between midnight and 2 a.m.
Viewing tips
- Go to a dark site away from city lights and find an open, elevated spot with a clear view of the eastern horizon for moonrise.
- For the meteor shower, watch after midnight and give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adapt to the dark.
- Keep in mind the bright supermoon may wash out fainter meteors, so focus on looking for slower, brighter trails and occasional fireballs.
- No telescope is necessary to enjoy the moon; binoculars or a small telescope will reveal more lunar detail.
- Bring a reclining chair or blanket so you can comfortably scan a wide portion of the sky.
Quick science
The Taurids are debris left by Comet 2P/Encke. When Earth crosses those streams, the particles enter our atmosphere and burn up as meteors. The Southern Taurids’ larger fragments can create brighter streaks called fireballs.
Bottom line: Nov. 4–6 is prime time to enjoy a near-Earth supermoon and keep an eye out for Taurid fireballs — but for the best meteor-viewing odds, choose a very dark location and be prepared for the moon to outshine many fainter meteors.