Get ready for a celestial spectacle! Tonight, November 5th, marks the culmination of the Beaver Moon – also known as the Frost Moon – rising as the largest and brightest full moon of 2025. This extra-large lunar display, dubbed a “supermoon,” offers an opportunity to witness a captivating cosmic event free from your doorstep or through a live online stream.
Astronomer Gianluca Masi and his Virtual Telescope Project are providing a free livestream directly from Manciano, Italy, beginning at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT). Tune in on Space.com, the Virtual Telescope Project’s WebTV platform, or their YouTube channel, weather permitting.
Masi plans to showcase not only the supermoon but also breathtaking archival images of full moons captured over the years – some featuring a satellite positioned against iconic Rome landmarks and skylines.
What Makes This Supermoon Special?
This Beaver Moon’s splendor stems from perfect celestial timing. While it reaches its peak fullness at 8:19 a.m. EST (1319 GMT) on November 5th, later that same day, at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 GMT), it will reach perigee – the point in its orbit where it’s closest to Earth. This year, that distance is a mere 221,726 miles (356,833 kilometers).
Because of this close proximity at its fullest phase, we experience a supermoon – an event making this particular full moon appear approximately 6% larger and 16% brighter than a standard full moon. Though the difference might be subtle for casual observers, it’s still a remarkable sight to behold.
Don’t Forget the Moon Illusion
Supermoons are especially captivating near the horizon where the “moon illusion” comes into play. This optical phenomenon makes the lunar disk appear dramatically larger than when it hangs high in the sky.
Ready to capture your own stunning supermoon photos? Space.com provides helpful guides for choosing the best binoculars, telescopes, cameras, and lenses designed specifically for astrophotography.
The Beaver Moon serves as a mesmerizing reminder of Earth’s celestial dance with its orbiting companion. Whether you choose to view it directly or through the lens of an online stream, tonight offers a captivating opportunity to connect with the wonders of our night sky.
