The biggest supermoon of 2025 reaches its full phase this Wednesday, November 5th, but offers better visibility at dusk on Thursday, the 6th. Known as the Beaver Moon, it will be 356,980 kilometers from Earth, the closest distance since February 2019. The phenomenon occurs all over the planet, with times varying by time zone.
The moon reaches 100% illumination at 8:20 am Eastern Standard Time, equivalent to 9:20 am Brasília time. It is part of a sequence of four supermoons that end 2025 and begin 2026. The Moon’s elliptical orbit explains its larger apparent size when it coincides with perigee.
- Average distance from the Moon to Earth: 384,472 km.
- Distance on this supermoon: 356,980 km.
- Size increase: approximately 10% compared to the average.
- Greater brightness due to proximity.
How to watch worldwide
Observers on different continents track the Beaver Supermoon by adjusting local sunset and moonrise times. In Asia, cities like Tokyo recorded the phenomenon on the morning of November 6, with the moon already high in the sky. In Europe, sunrise occurs at dusk at 6 or 7, it dependsing of the spindle. In Africa, places like Cape Town see the moon emerge near the western horizon of the setting sun. In Oceania, Sydney observes on the night of the 6th, with clear visibility in coastal areas. Online tools calculate exact moments for any global coordinate. The moon remains full for 48 hours, allowing flexibility across different time zones. Regions with clear skies and low light pollution achieve better results.
Observation times in Brazil
Brasília records sunset at 6:45 pm and moonrise shortly after, around 6:50 pm. In Belém, the sun sets at 6:14 pm, with the moon appearing afterwards. Recife has sunset at 5:28 pm, allowing a clear view of the eastern horizon.
Cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro follow similar patterns, with the moon rising around 30 minutes after sunset. Elevated locations or places with an unobstructed view make observation easier.
Visibility in other regions
New York has a sunset at 4:47 pm and a moonrise at 5:19 pm local time on November 6th. Los Angeles records the sunset at 4:56 pm and the moon at 4:57 pm. London observes the phenomenon on Friday the 7th, with sunset at 4:24 pm and moonrise at 5:06 pm.
The supermoon appears full the night before and after the exact phase. Sunrise at dusk maximizes the lunar illusion effect, when the star appears larger closer to the horizon.
Characteristics of the phenomenon
The Beaver Moon is the 11th full moon of 2025, with three supermoons in the year. It occurs nine hours after theperigee, ensuring full illumination at the closest point. Alternative names include Frosty or Hunter’s Moon, varying by cultures.
The 10% larger size results from the definition of a supermoon, when the full moon coincides with up to 90% of perigee. The next significant supermoon occurs in December 2026, at 356,649 km.
Tips for better viewing
Choose open areas, such as fields or beaches facing east. Consult online moonrise calculators for accurate times in your location. Avoid regions with excessive light pollution.
The spectacle lasts for minutes during sunrise, but the moon remains visible throughout the night. Binoculars or simple telescopes highlight details of the lunar surface.
Sequence of supermoons
This is the second supermoon of 2025, following previous events in the year. Two blood moons occurred in March and September, with total eclipses. The Cold Moon on December 4th will be next, as second largest.
Four consecutive supermoons mark the period, ending with one in January 2026.
Optical illusion explained
The moon appears larger on the horizon due to terrestrial landmarks such as buildings or trees. The human brain interprets size relatively. There is no complete scientific consensus on the exact mechanism.
The effect is intensified in supermoons due to the real proximity combined with the illusion.
