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Tonight’s Supermoon Will Be The Closest Full Moon Of The Year

5th Nov 2025
Written by: Elizabeth McDonald

If you’ve been feeling a little off this week, blame it on the moon. Tonight, stargazers are in for a treat with the November Supermoon, also known as the Beaver moon (don’t laugh). It’s the closest full moon of the year, which means it’ll look extra big and extra bright.

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What Actually Is A Supermoon?

In scientific terms, a supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth (also known as perigee) while it’s also full. The result? A lunar glow-up that makes it appear around 14% larger and 30% brighter than your average full moon.

When And Where To See The Supermoon In Australia

The moon will rise just after sunset, so you’ll want to face east and find a clear horizon (bonus points if you’re near water). Here’s when to look up in your city:

  • Sydney – 7:22pm AEDT
  • Melbourne – 7:59pm AEDT
  • Brisbane – 6:09pm AEST
  • Adelaide – 7:46pm ACDT
  • Perth – 6:45pm AWST

The big beautiful orb hits hardest when it’s close to the horizon thanks to something called the moon illusion—basically, your brain tricks you into thinking it’s massive.

Full moon unsplash
Image Credit: Unsplash

Why’s It Called The Beaver Moon?

Despite sounding like a bad punchline, the Beaver Moon name dates back to Northern Hemisphere folklore. Its exact origins are a little murky. Some believe the name comes from the time trappers would set beaver traps before the rivers froze, others believe it is a reference to the flurry of activity when beavers are building their winter dams.

For us Down Under, it just adds a bit of charm (and chaos) to our late-spring skies. Mercury will be in retrograde this week so just... don't touch anything.

Will It Actually Look Bigger?

Kinda. Technically, yes—it’s closer to us than any other full moon this year, sitting roughly 356,980 kilometres away. But to the naked eye, the difference is subtle. You’ll notice it most when it’s rising and hanging low on the horizon—especially if you’re viewing it against city lights, trees, or rooftops.

Still, grab your phone or camera, drop the exposure a bit, and you’ll capture that silvery glow perfectly.

Full Moon
Image Credit: Unsplash

Weather Forecast: Will You Get A Clear View Tonight?

Before you head out moon-chasing, here’s what the weather’s doing across the capitals:

  • Sydney – Mostly clear skies, a mild 19–20°C. Ideal viewing conditions.
  • Melbourne – Cloudy early but clearing after sunset. Fingers crossed for a peek through the gaps.
  • Brisbane – Perfect conditions. Warm, clear, and ready for moon magic.
  • Adelaide – Early clouds fading to clear by evening. A solid chance to spot it.
  • Perth – A few afternoon clouds but clearing for moonrise around 6:45pm.

How To Make The Most Of It

Head out around sunset and look east. Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the horizon. Beaches, hilltops, or rooftop bars are all perfect.

Bring a friend (and maybe a drink if you're heading to the park, we're digging canned wine because we're classy like that).

If you’re into astrology, this one’s sitting in Taurus, so you can expect grounding, self-care vibes and maybe a reminder to slow down.

Feeling spooky? Why not top the night off with a movie marathon of the best horror movies on Netflix right now?

Main Image Credit: Unsplash

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