When is the next full moon? See lunar event calendar
Missed the last full moon? Prepare for upcoming full moons: the Beaver Moon, Cold Moon, Wolf Moon, Snow Moon and Worm Moon. See the dates for each.
The largest and closest supermoon of 2025 is on its way and you’ll soon get a chance to see it illuminate Michigan skies.
The beaver moon will peak the morning of Nov. 5, appearing brighter and brighter in the night sky as the second of three consecutive full supermoons in 2025, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The beaver moon will be just 221,817 miles from Earth, the closest full moon of the year, scientists say. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is about 238,000 miles.Â
Clear skies permitting, take a look up the evening of Nov. 4, when the moon appears full, and the evening of Nov. 5 to enjoy the moon illusion, when the moon will appear larger than normal near the horizon as it rises each night.
Here’s what to know about November’s full moon.
When will the beaver moon peak?
The beaver moon will peak at 8:19 a.m. on Nov. 5, but it will appear full the nights of Nov. 4 and 5.
Is the beaver moon a supermoon?
Yes, the beaver moon will be the second of three consecutive full supermoons, and the closest supermoon to Earth in 2025.
What is the moon illusion?
At moonrise and moonset, the moon illusion is in effect, making the beaver moon appear even larger.
The moon illusion gives sky gazers the best chance to observe the full supermoon appearing bigger and brighter than typical, according to Time and Date.
While the moon illusion is a well-known phenomenon, no one really knows why our minds believe the moon is suddenly larger.
“Depending on your mindset, this news might be unsatisfying, or it could be a reason to marvel at our mysterious brains,” NASA said. “But despite the fact that people have been observing this illusion for thousands of years, we still don’t have a rock-solid scientific explanation for it.”
How did the beaver moon get its name?
The name beaver moon comes from beavers setting up their lodges for winter during this time of year, and the history of trapping beavers for the North American fur trade during the season, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full or new moon falls during the closest point in the moon’s orbit to Earth, according to NASA. The full moon can appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter at its closest point in the orbit.
What phase of the lunar cycle is the moon in now?
The moon is currently in its waxing gibbous phase, according to Space.com. The moon’s phases in November 2025 are:
Full Moon: Nov. 5Last Quarter: Nov. 12New Moon: Nov. 20How far from Earth is the moon?
The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles. NASA says the moon actually is moving farther away from Earth each year, though we don’t notice it.
At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it’s at apogee.
When the moon is at perigee, it’s an average of 225,623 miles away. At its nearest point, the beaver moon will be 221,817 miles from Earth, the closest supermoon of the year.
When is the next supermoon?
The final full supermoon of 2025 will peak Dec. 4.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi:Â jprestininzi@freepress.com.