If you step outside on the evening of November 5, 2025, you have a date with one of nature’s most spectacular shows: the full moon known as the Beaver Supermoon. It’s not just any full moon — it’s the closest one to Earth this year, making it appear brighter and more magnificent than usual.
What Makes It Special
This full moon occurs when the moon is at perigee (its closest point to Earth) and in its full phase — the classic recipe for a “supermoon.”
According to experts, on November 5 it will be the closest full moon of 2025, at roughly 356,980 km (about 221,817 miles) away.
Because of this proximity, the moon will appear slightly larger and significantly brighter than at other times.
As the moon rises, the atmosphere near the horizon scatters shorter blue light and allows warm amber-orange tones to dominate — creating that golden-orange glow many sky-watchers expect.
Why the Name “Beaver Moon”?
The term “Beaver Moon” goes back to Native American and early-colonial traditions. It marks a seasonal moment when beavers were busy building their lodges and preparing for the winter ahead — before rivers and ponds froze.
In other words, this moon serves as a natural reminder: just as nature prepares for colder days ahead, we too might reflect, prepare, persist.
When & Where to Look
When: The full phase peaks around November 5 (in many places around this date) — and you can observe it from the time the moon rises after sunset through the night.
Where: Face the eastern horizon just after sunset to catch the moonrise. Then, as it climbs higher in the sky, it will move from warm amber tones toward silvery-white.
Tip for best view: Find a location away from bright city lights. Let your eyes adjust 10-15 minutes. Try to include interesting foregrounds (trees, rooftops, hills) – it gives scale and mood.
Why It’s Worth Watching
This is not simply a “pretty moon” — it’s the brightest full moon of 2025, due to its unusually close approach.
The colour shift from warm amber at the horizon to silvery higher up gives a dynamic visual experience — unlike the static “white moon” many expect.
Whether you’re photographing, meditating, or simply pausing to look up, this moon offers a moment of connection: nature, space, the rhythm of the seasons — and a reminder of how we fit into a larger cosmos.
A Simple Guide to Photographing It
Use a wide-angle lens if you include a landscape/foreground, or a telephoto lens if you want the moon large in the frame.
For the golden-orange moon just after rising, use low ISO, tripod recommended, shutter speed around 1/125-1/250 sec (depends on lens).
For higher in the sky when it’s brighter and whiter, adjust shutter faster if using zoom.
Try framing elements like tree branches or rooftops to give context and sense of scale.
On the night of November 5, the Beaver Supermoon invites us to “look up, slow down, feel the light of the Moon.” It’s a pause in our busy lives — a chance to witness something timeless, beautiful and universal.
Whether you are anywhere else in the world, step outside, face east, and let the glowing orb carry away the daily grind for a little while.
Happy moon-watching!