Stunning Images Capture 2025's Brightest Supermoon – the Beaver Moon – Over Minneapolis
Photographs released by MPR News showcase the Beaver Moon, the brightest supermoon of 2025, hanging low over the Minneapolis skyline on the evening of November 12. The images, taken by several local photographers, highlight the moon’s unusually large apparent size and intense illumination as it rose above the Mississippi River, casting a silvery glow on the city’s downtown towers.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth, making it appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than an average full moon. The November full moon is traditionally called the “Beaver Moon,” a name derived from Native American and colonial hunting calendars that marked the time to trap beavers before winter. This year’s alignment of perigee and the Beaver Moon produced the most luminous display of the calendar year.
According to local meteorological reports, clear skies and low humidity across the Twin Cities created optimal viewing conditions. Residents gathered in parks and waterfront areas, and social media feeds were filled with snapshots of the moon reflected on the water and silhouetted against the city’s high‑rise architecture. City officials noted a modest increase in evening foot traffic but reported no significant disruptions.
Scientists point out that while the visual impact of a supermoon is striking, its gravitational effect on Earth’s tides is only marginally stronger than that of a typical full moon. Nevertheless, the event offers a useful reminder of the Moon’s influence on coastal ecosystems and serves as a public outreach opportunity for astronomy educators, who often use such occurrences to promote interest in space science.
Looking ahead, astronomers advise that the next notable lunar event will be the “Hunter’s Moon” in early December, which will also be visible from the region. Observers are encouraged to consult local sky‑watching calendars for precise rise and set times, and to seek locations with minimal light pollution for the clearest view of future lunar phenomena.
