Look up, and snap a pic while you’re at it! The full moon that you’ll see on Wednesday, November 5, is a special event – it’s a Supermoon. This one’s actually particularly notable, as it will be the closest and brightest Supermoon of 2025. Don’t miss it!
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon occurs when a full moon nearly coincides with perigee – the point in the moon’s elliptical orbit where it is closest to Earth. Due to its proximity, the moon can appear about 7% larger and around 16% brighter than an average full moon. Sometimes though, the difference might be subtle. The effect often seems more dramatic when the moon is low on the horizon. This is thanks to an optical illusion,, called the “moon illusion.”
November 5th’s Supermoon will be the closest of the year, at a distance of approximately 221,817 miles from Earth.
Why is it called a Beaver Supermoon?
The November Beaver Moon got its name from both Native American tribes and early American settlers. Why? Because this is the time when beavers are busy tucking themselves into their lodges for the winter, after making sure they’ve stored enough food. Apparently, fur trappers also knew this was the perfect moment to hunt the beavers for their thick pelts.
In Celtic tradition, the last full moon before the December solstice has also been named the Mourning Moon, or the Darkest Depths Moon.
November moon phases
- First Quarter: Oct. 29
- Full Moon: Nov. 5 – we’re here!
- Last Quarter: Nov. 12
- New Moon: Nov. 20
- First Quarter: Nov. 28
When and where to watch it in San Diego
The moon will be at its brightest at 05:19 AM on November 5th. But don’t worry, you don’t need to set an alarm this early to catch it. The moon phases are slow, so just look up in the evening of November 4th, or even in the early morning of November 5th.
As always, the best spots for catching the full magic of the Beaver Supermoon are outside of the city, where there’s minimal light pollution. Suburbs, or the beach, are the perfect destinations. However, the moon will look beautiful and bright from wherever you are. Enjoy the show!