‘Brightest and biggest’ Beaver supermoon to be visible in Irish skies tonight

It's set to be the biggest and brightest of the year

Astronomy Ireland says that the Beaver supermoon will be strongest between Tuesday and Thursday, with it due to shine up to 30% brighter than usual.

Although the supermoon technically peaked at 1.19pm today, the best time to see it should be this evening.

However, you may struggle with the weather.

Met Éireann predicts heavy cloud and rain across Wednesday evening. Thursday is looking more hopeful with some ‘dry and clear’ spells earlier on, before rain and cloud are due to appear.

So, if you are looking to get a glimpse of 2025's brightest moon, you may have to be persistent!

David Moore of Astronomy Ireland is calling for folks to submit their pictures to help preserve the image of the event.

"We’re asking everyone to line up the supermoon with something interesting — statues, landmarks, mountains, even ships — and send us your best snap!’ The top shots could be featured in Astronomy Ireland Magazine and preserved forever in the National Library of Ireland," he said, via Extra.ie.

To submit your photo, just go to Astronomy.ie and go to the contact page for the full details.

November’s full Moon is called the Beaver moon, probably because beavers are particularly active at this time of year as they prepare for the winter months ahead.

However, another interpretation is that Native American tribes would set beaver traps before the swamps froze, ensuring a supply of warm winter furs.

The Moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle – in fact it is elliptical, meaning its distance from Earth at any given time will vary.

The Moon’s furthest point from the Earth is known as apogee and when it is at its closest we call it perigee.

When the full moon, which happens every 29.5 days coincides with the moon’s perigee, it appears bigger and brighter than usual which is why we call it a supermoon.

These are not exactly a rare occurrence, they happen approximately three or four times a year.

This November's Beaver moon marks the second supermoon of 2025, with a third to come before the New Year.