Tonight’s supermoon is real — and it’s the closest, brightest full moon of 2025. But don’t expect a jaw-dropping giant in the sky. The big secret: most of the “wow” comes from timing, tradition, and a famous optical trick — not from the Moon suddenly ballooning in size.
Why this matters now: today (Wed, Nov 5, 2025) the Moon turns full at 13:19 UTC and does so unusually close to Earth, making tonight’s moonrise the most photogenic of the year. It’s also carrying two names at once — Beaver Moon and Hunter’s Moon — and that little naming tussle reveals how lunar lore works.
The most interesting correction up front: Beaver Moon or Hunter’s Moon? Both are right
- November’s full moon is commonly called the Beaver Moon (Bibermond).
- But the Hunter’s Moon is defined as the first full moon after the Harvest Moon. In 2025 the Harvest Moon was in October, which makes today’s full moon the Hunter’s Moon too.
- If you see an outlet insist only one name is “correct,” that’s incomplete. Both names are used by reputable calendars. Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/news/astronomy/night-sky-november-2025
What we verified (and what to expect)
- Full moon and “supermoon” today: Yes. NASA lists three supermoons in 2025 — Oct 7, Nov 5, Dec 4 — and today’s is one of them. Source: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/supermoons/
- Closest full moon of 2025: Yes. Around full phase today, the Earth–Moon distance is about 356,9xx km, the closest full moon this year and the closest since Feb 2019. Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/news/astronomy/moon-november-2025
- How much bigger/brighter? A supermoon can look up to about 14% larger in diameter and roughly 30% brighter — but that headline figure compares it with the farthest full moon (a “micromoon”). Compared to an average full moon, the change is smaller and often hard to notice. Source: Royal Observatory Greenwich: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-supermoon
- Tides: Expect slightly higher-than-usual spring tides (“perigean spring tides”), sometimes called king tides. On their own they rarely cause flooding; coastal flooding typically needs extra push from weather (onshore winds, low pressure). Source: NOAA: https://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/faq.html
The story behind the spectacle: hype, reality, and the trick your eyes play Step outside at moonrise and your brain will swear the Moon looks huge hugging the horizon. That’s the well-known “Moon illusion.” The physical change from a supermoon is real but modest; your perception does the rest. Astronomers and museums note that without a side-by-side comparison to a far-away full moon, most people won’t see a dramatic size jump. The “super” part is a clean astronomical alignment: full moon arriving near the Moon’s closest point to Earth (perigee), which boosts brightness and size a little — and your photos a lot.
Key findings and important corrections
- Bold claim, gentle reality: “Up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter” is accurate only when comparing to the farthest full moon of the year. Against an average full moon, the difference is smaller and subtle to the naked eye. Source: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-supermoon
- Numbers may not match exactly — and that’s okay: Distances can differ by a few hundred kilometers depending on the exact moment measured (full moon vs. closest approach), rounding, and method. Expect figures like 356,834–356,980 km. That’s not error; it’s normal. Context: https://www.fr.de/wissen/supermond-november-2025-erwartungen-groesse-mondtaeuschung-fotografieren-zr-94022071.html
- Tides don’t flood towns by themselves: Yes, supermoons raise the tide range a bit. But nuisance or damaging floods typically need local weather factors layered on top. Source: https://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/faq.html
- “Today is the biggest of the year”: Correct for 2025. NASA confirms the trio of supermoons; today’s is the closest full moon this year. Source: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/supermoons/
Your quick viewing guide
- Best time: Moonrise in your location this evening. The Moon will be full already (13:19 UTC), but it will look most dramatic near the horizon thanks to foreground landmarks and the Moon illusion.
- What to look for: Brighter-than-usual moonlight, crisp shadows, and excellent photo opportunities at dusk.
- Photo tip: Frame the Moon with buildings, trees, or hills at moonrise to amplify the sense of scale. Use a longer focal length if you can.
What we’re certain about vs. what needs context
- Verified
- Today is a supermoon and the year’s closest full moon. Sources: NASA, timeanddate.
- The possible size/brightness boost figures (up to ~14% and ~30%) are technically correct against a micromoon. Source: Royal Observatory Greenwich.
- Slightly higher tides are expected; local flooding requires more than just a supermoon. Source: NOAA.
- Needs context or varies
- Exact distance numbers (small, normal discrepancies). Sources: timeanddate; FR.
- Naming: “Beaver Moon” is common in November, but “Hunter’s Moon” also applies this year because of the Harvest Moon timing. Source: timeanddate.
- How “big” it looks is mostly perception; the physical change is subtle. Source: Royal Observatory Greenwich.
How we checked this Because the original article offered only a headline and a prompt for feedback, we verified the core claims independently:
- NASA’s 2025 supermoon list and definitions: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/supermoons/
- Full moon timing and distance estimates for Nov 5, 2025: https://www.timeanddate.com/news/astronomy/moon-november-2025
- Size/brightness context and the Moon illusion: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-supermoon
- Tide impacts and caveats: https://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/faq.html
- Why distance numbers vary slightly: https://www.fr.de/wissen/supermond-november-2025-erwartungen-groesse-mondtaeuschung-fotografieren-zr-94022071.html
Bottom line
- Yes, the sky is spectacular tonight because the full Moon arrives near its closest point to Earth.
- It’s the closest full moon of 2025 — and the closest since 2019 — but the “super” part is a modest physical boost enhanced by human perception.
- Call it Beaver Moon, Hunter’s Moon, or simply tonight’s best reason to look up. Either way, the facts check out — with a few hype-busting caveats that make the real story even better.