Islamabad, November 5, 2025: Pakistan witnessed its first supermoon of the year, known as the Beaver Moon, on Wednesday evening, as the dazzling celestial event lit up skies across the country and around the world.
According to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the Beaver Supermoon was the closest, biggest, and brightest full moon of 2025, reaching its peak illumination at 6:19pm (PST).
Suparco said the Moon was just 356,980 kilometres (221,817 miles) away from Earth — making it appear 7.9% larger and 16% brighter than a typical full moon due to its proximity at perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth, giving stargazers a noticeably more luminous view of the night sky.
The agency noted that the November supermoon was the second in a trio of consecutive supermoons, following October’s and preceding December’s, and that while the visual difference is subtle to the naked eye, it remains a rare and captivating astronomical sight.
Supermoons generally occur three to four times a year, depending on the Moon’s orbital alignment.
The name “Beaver Moon” originates from North American and colonial folklore, referring to the traditional period when beaver traps were set before swamps froze in early winter. Beavers — large, semiaquatic rodents — are known for gnawing trees and building dams, a behaviour reflected in the moon’s seasonal name.
A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spokesperson said the event’s special appeal lies in its closeness:
“While a supermoon isn’t physically bigger, its proximity makes it appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon at its farthest point.”
