Welcome, dear readers of FreeAstroScience. You’ve heard the buzz: tonight’s Moon looks huge. But how much bigger is it, really, and why does it happen? In this article—written by FreeAstroScience only for you—we’ll explain the science behind supermoons in plain language, show you how to see the Beaver Supermoon at its best, and debunk a few myths. Stick with us to the end for practical tips, crisp numbers, and a couple of “aha” moments that make the night sky feel closer than ever. Ready? Let’s step outside together.
What exactly is a “supermoon,” and who coined the term?
A supermoon happens when the Moon is at or near perigee (its closest point to Earth) at the same time as it’s full (or new). The term was coined in the late 1970s by astrologer Richard Nolle and later popularized in media and skywatching guides. There isn’t a strict scientific cut-off, but Nolle’s definition uses the Moon being within 90% of its closest approach when aligned with Earth and Sun (a syzygy) .
Why it matters to your eyes: a super full Moon can appear up to ~14% larger in diameter and roughly a third brighter than an average full Moon. That’s noticeable, especially near the horizon at moonrise, when our brain’s “Moon illusion” adds extra drama .
Why is tonight’s Beaver Supermoon special?
Because it’s the biggest and brightest full supermoon of 2025. On 5 November 2025, the full Moon swings in to about 356,980 km from Earth—closer than any other full phase this year, and the closest since February 2019 (≈ 356,846 km) . In lunar folklore, November’s full Moon is the Beaver Moon, so tonight’s event is the Beaver Supermoon.
By the way, if clouds win, December’s Cold Supermoon will still be close—around 357,219 km—though a touch farther than tonight’s show .
How does the Moon’s orbit create supermoons?
The Moon’s path around Earth is slightly elliptical, not a perfect circle. That gives us:
- Perigee (closest): mean ≈ 363,396 km
- Apogee (farthest): mean ≈ 405,504 km
When a full Moon happens near perigee, we get a supermoon. When it happens near apogee, some call it a micromoon—a smaller-looking full Moon that rarely trends on social media, but it’s the neat counterpart all the same .
How much bigger and brighter is it—quantitatively?
Angular size scales roughly with 1/distance. So the closer the Moon, the larger the disk appears.
For small angles, we can compare two distances, (d_1) and (d_2):
That’s why the difference between perigee and apogee—tens of thousands of kilometers—translates into a visible size boost (up to ~14%) and a luminosity increase near 30% for the brightest supermoons .
Quick facts you can screenshot
| Quantity | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Perigee Distance | ≈ 363,396 km | :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Mean Apogee Distance | ≈ 405,504 km | :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Tonight’s Perigee (Nov 5, 2025) | ≈ 356,980 km | :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Closest Since | Feb 2019 (≈ 356,846 km) | :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Apparent Size Gain | Up to ~14% | :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Brightness Gain | ~30% (≈ one-third) | :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
Does a supermoon change tides, quakes, or your mood?
Short answer: tides, yes—slightly; quakes and moods, not really.
Gravitational pull varies with 1/d², but tidal forces scale with 1/d³. So a closer Moon does add a little extra “pull,” modestly boosting spring tides. Still, there’s no solid evidence that supermoons trigger unusual weather, earthquakes, or human behavior .
Anyway, you won’t jump higher tonight. But you may smile more. That counts.
When and where should you look to get the “wow” view?
- Moonrise and moonset are prime time. The Moon sits near foreground landmarks.
- The horizon frame creates powerful contrast. That’s where the “aha” happens.
- Check a local almanac for moonrise time in your city. Then pick a clear, low horizon.
- Bring binoculars for crisp craters and maria. A small telescope sweetens the view.
Pro tip: Photograph the Moon rising behind a building, hill, or tree. A longer lens (100–300 mm) compresses distance, making the Moon look enormous next to human-scale objects.
How do we compare perigee and apogee visually?
Let’s put the numbers into a simple ratio using perigee and apogee means:
That ~12% bump aligns with the widely cited up to ~14% maximum on standout nights, depending on exact geometry and atmospheric conditions .
What should you tell friends who ask “is it dangerous?”
Tell them this: it’s beautiful, not dangerous. Supermoons nudge tides a bit but don’t meaningfully change weather, seismic activity, or human physiology. The 23% swing in lunar gravitational pull across the orbit sounds dramatic, yet its local effects on us are negligible .
If anything, a brighter night means a pleasant walk, fewer streetlights needed, and more neighbors looking up together. That’s a public good.
Why do names like “Beaver Moon” stick?
Names anchor memory. November’s Beaver Moon references seasonal rhythms in North America, when beavers prepared for winter, and trappers laid stores. Pairing folklore with physics makes the sky more human. When science and story meet, we remember to look up.
Final tips for tonight
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early to scout a clear horizon.
- Use a tripod if you’re photographing; shoot at short exposures (e.g., 1/125–1/500 s) to avoid overexposing the bright lunar surface.
- Try a cityscape alignment. Bridges, towers, or trees make the Moon feel gigantic.
- If clouds tease, wait for gaps—the Moon often punches through.
Oh, and… consider a small ritual: name one thing you’re curious about while the Moon rises. Curiosity is a muscle; nights like this are the gym.
Conclusion: What does a brighter Moon change in us?
Tonight’s Beaver Supermoon is a gentle reminder that orbital mechanics can still make us gasp. The key numbers—356,980 km tonight, the closest since 2019, and up to ~14% larger apparent size—translate into something emotional when the Moon clears a rooftop or a ridge and hangs there, pale and impossible . We covered what a supermoon is, why it happens, what it does—and doesn’t—do to Earth, and how to see it best.
Take a moment outside. Let the cold air and the bright disk reset your attention. Then come back to FreeAstroScience.com for more simple, trusted guides to the cosmos. This post was written for you by FreeAstroScience.com, where we explain complex science simply—because the sleep of reason breeds monsters, and we’re here to keep reason wide awake.
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