At a glance
• The year’s second and brightest supermoon - the Beaver Supermoon - appears on November 5, Bonfire Night
• This supermoon will be the closest, biggest, and brightest full moon of 2025, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual; it rises around 3:55 pm and reaches its closest point to Earth at 10:30pm
• Best seen from high, open spots like Parliament Hill, Primrose Hill, or Greenwich Park; skies may be cloudy but rain should clear
The second supermoon of the year is coming to a sky near you on November 5 and here’s how to make sure you catch it in all its glory.
The first supermoon of the year might have made us wait ten months for it, but, lucky for us, we’re getting spoiled with two more before the new year. And even better – tonight’s is expected to be the best of the bunch.
The supermoon, known as a “beaver supermoon” is projected to appear even bigger and brighter than the last one and it’s going to be framed against all the sparkle of Bonfire Night.
So not only will we be treated to the most glorious lunar show of the year, it’ll be framed against fireworks setting off across the city. What a joy.
What is a supermoon?
Without getting into too much technical detail, the moon orbits around the Earth in an oval, meaning it pops up at different distances throughout the month. A supermoon is when the moon is around 90 per cent of its closest point to Earth when the sun, Earth and moon are aligned.
A supermoon can look to be up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent more luminous than a normal full moon. A mysterious effect called the “moon illusion” can make it look especially big when it’s close to the horizon.
This evening’s supermoon will be this year’s closest full moon to Earth – so it’ll also be the biggest and brightest, too!
When is the supermoon?
The supermoon is on track for Bonfire Night, November 5. It will rise at roughly 3.55pm but will be at its closest point to Earth at 10.30pm.
Why is it called a ‘beaver moon’?
The November full moon is known as the Beaver Moon because beavers are especially busy this time of year, prepping for winter by building up their dams and stocking up on food.
How is the weather looking?
In classic London form, some rain is expected during the day on Wednesday, but it looks like that should pass over by the evening. It is likely to be cloudy though, so the supermoon may be obscured in places.
When is the next supermoon of 2025?
The third and final supermoon of 2025 is on Thursday December 4.
Where should I go to see the supermoon?
The best place to go to admire the supermoon is somewhere high up with an unblocked view of the sky – and ideally with a bit less light pollution.
We recommend Parliament Hill, Primrose Hill and Greenwich Park for stunning views of the sky and city. The best spot to avoid light pollution is Morden Hall Park.
Top tips for photographing the supermoon
Fancy yourself a photographer? Well you don’t need any special kit, any decent phone camera will do. But remember to focus on a dark, unobstructed area for the best view. If you’re feeling creative, think about framing it against the skyline. Or for those special golden hour shots, time your photo for when the supermoon rises or sets and is sat low against the horizon.
