November Supermoon 2025 to Shine as Brightest Since 2019
Tonight’s moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter as it reaches its closest point to Earth in over six years
At 6:49 p.m. tomorrow, the moon will reach its perigee, the point in its elliptical orbit that is closest to Earth. As a result, the regular ol' full moon will become a supermoon - but this month's supermoon isn't your ordinary supermoon.
While 2025 saw four consecutive supermoons, this is the closest the moon will be to Earth since the supermoon on 19 February 2019. The moon's average distance from Earth is 384,472 km, but tonight it will be at a distance of 356,980 km from the Earth, appearing 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a regular full moon.
The best time to view the moon will be just after sunset, when it reaches peak brightness at 6:49 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 November. You can't miss it!
When is the next supermoon?
In the next two months, we'll be able to witness another two consecutive supermoons - one in December (on Christmas, that too) and one in January. Once those pass, it will be a good while until the world sees another supermoon, especially in this capacity.
The next supermoon after this stream of 2025-2026 supermoons will be in November 2026. However, the moon will only appear in a similar size and brightness again in the late 2020s or early 2030s.
Supermoon on Karthika Pournami 2025
The celestial spectacle just so happens to fall on the evening of Karthika Pournima, the full moon day of the Hindu month Karthika. The month of Karthika is an auspicious time, dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu, and the full moon marks the end of the holy month. Karthika Pournima is even a public holiday in some states, including Telangana.
Dev Deepavali is observed on the day of Karthika Pournima as well, as Hindus believe that the gods and goddesses come to the ghats of Kashi to celebrate their own Diwali.
It is a time that Hindus believe helps cleanse one of their sins. On this day, people take holy dips in sacred water bodies, light lamps, and donate items like rice, ghee, and sesame seeds. Holy water is also sprinkled throughout the house to invite purity and sanctity.
The Purnima tithi began at 10:36 a.m. today and ends just before the moon reaches peak tomorrow at 6:48 p.m., ending the festival on an extra special note.
This article is authored by Tejasree K, an intern at Deccan Chronicle
