The year's biggest supermoon is arriving this week. The phenomenon known as a supermoon happens due to the moon's orbit, which is not a perfect circle. The orbit is actually elliptical, resulting in the moon's distance from Earth varying at different points, according to The Guardian.
A supermoon is the term used when a full moon happens while the moon is also within 10% of its perigee, or closest approach to Earth, The Guardian explains. This closeness causes the moon to look slightly larger and more luminous compared to typical full moons, The Guardian details.
The full moon on November 5, 2025, will be the closest one of the year, positioned just shy of 357,000km from our planet, The Guardian states. This proximity classifies it as the year's biggest supermoon. Observers will see it as 8% larger and approximately 16% brighter than an average full moon, as reported by The Guardian.
Witnessing the moon's bright edge emerge over the horizon during twilight provides a spectacular view. For those in London, the moon will ascend in the east at approximately 15:52 GMT, near sunset. This spectacle is enhanced by the "moon illusion," an effect causing the moon to seem bigger when near the horizon, using other objects for scale. Our perception changes as the moon ascends, making it look smaller, although its actual size remains constant, The Guardian concludes.
