Beaver Moon Peaks Nov. 5 — The Closest Supermoon of 2025 and How to Photograph It

The Beaver Moon: closest supermoon of the year

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, November’s full moon — commonly called the Beaver Moon — will be the closest supermoon of the year. The moon will reach peak illumination on Nov. 5 at 8:19 a.m. EST, when it will be about 221,817 miles (356,980 kilometers) from Earth.

A “supermoon” occurs when a full moon (or new moon) coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit (perigee). At this time the Moon can appear slightly larger and brighter than average, though the change is subtle to casual observers.

Where the names come from

The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that traditional full-moon names come from early Native American, Colonial American and European folklore. These names were historically applied to the entire lunar month and used across the moon’s phases — not just at the moment of full illumination.

November’s moon is called the Beaver Moon because it coincides with the time when beavers prepare for winter and take shelter in their lodges. In parts of North America, this season has also been the traditional time for trapping beavers for their thick winter pelts.

Other traditional names

• Digging Moon — when animals forage for fallen nuts.
• Deer Rutting Moon — aligning with deer rutting season.
• Whitefish Moon — associated with spawning of fish such as Atlantic cod, whiting and haddock.

Photography tips

If you plan to photograph the Beaver Moon, the Almanac suggests a few practical tips to improve your shots:

• Mount your camera on a tripod to avoid blur.
• Include a foreground subject (trees, buildings, or a landscape) to give the moon scale and context.
• Plan around your local moonrise time and check the weather forecast.
• Use a telephoto lens to capture lunar detail or a wider lens to emphasize foreground. Consider bracketing exposures and using a low ISO to reduce noise.

What’s next?

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also notes the next full moon, the Cold Moon, will occur on Dec. 4, reaching full illumination around 6:14 p.m. EST.

Note: The visual difference between a supermoon and an average full moon is modest; weather, atmospheric conditions and your viewing location will have the biggest effect on what you see.

Source: Old Farmer’s Almanac. This article originally appeared in the Erie Times-News.