Sky watchers were treated to a spectacular sight this week when the Beaver Moon — November’s full supermoon — lit up the skies above Minneapolis.
A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point in its orbit to Earth, making it appear bigger, brighter and more striking than usual. This one stood out even more because of its vibrant glow on Wednesday night.
According to the Associated Press, it was the second of three supermoons expected in 2025 and also the closest, coming within less than 222,000 miles of Earth.
The Beaver Moon was at its brightest Tuesday night, early Wednesday and again Wednesday night, drawing photographers and sky enthusiasts to vantage points across the city.
Meanwhile, the November 2025 full moon was a supermoon that appeared bigger and brighter because it occurred when the moon was at its closest point in its orbit to Earth. The moon does not move in a perfect circle, but in an elliptical, slightly elongated path, which means that its distance from Earth is constantly changing.
When the Moon moves closest to Earth, it reaches perigee; when it is furthest away, it is at its peak. A supermoon is technically known as a perigee full moon, and during this alignment the moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual.
According to data from AstroPixels.com, run by lunar and eclipse expert Fred Espenak, the November 2025 supermoon was the closest full moon of the year, coming as close as 356,980 km from Earth, making it the brightest and largest supermoon of 2025.
To the naked eye, the difference is negligible and most people would not notice any dramatic increase in size. However, the contrast between a full moon at perigee and a full moon at apogee becomes clear when photographed side by side.
Traditionally, the November full moon is called the Beaver Moon, a name rooted in folklore, denoting the time when beavers were most active in building winter shelters. While the name doesn’t change the appearance of the moon, it serves as a reminder of the cultural significance people have attached to lunar cycles throughout history.
