Stargazers across Pakistan will witness a rare celestial event this evening. The Beaver Supermoon — the year’s closest and brightest full moon — will shine in the night sky today, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).
Suparco stated that a supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth, known as perigee. During this time, the moon can appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual. However, the difference is often subtle to the naked eye.
The Beaver Supermoon will reach its peak brightness at 6:19 pm. At that moment, the moon will be just 356,980 kilometres away from Earth — about 7.9 percent closer and 16 percent brighter than a typical full moon. It is the second in a trio of consecutive supermoons visible in October, November, and December 2025.
According to NASA, the term “Beaver Moon” originates from the *Maine Farmer’s Almanack*, which published Native American names for the full moons in the 1930s. Tribes in what is now the northern and eastern United States named it after beavers, which were active in building their winter dams during this time of year.
This follows October’s supermoon, which appeared over Pakistan on October 7, and comes after September’s missed lunar eclipse, which Karachi residents could not see due to heavy cloud cover. Tonight’s event promises a clear, bright view for skywatchers across much of the country.