Beaver Moon and Taurids meteor shower to light up Singapore skies in early November

SINGAPORE – Cosmic spectacles will grace the skies above Singapore in early November, with the Beaver Moon and the annual Taurids meteor shower expected to put on a celestial show.

The Beaver Moon, which is the

second of three consecutive supermoons in 2025

, will reach peak brightness on Nov 5 after 7.30pm, according to the Science Centre Observatory.

The term “supermoon” is a popular name for what astronomers call a perigean full moon – when the full moon occurs as it reaches its closest point to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit.

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac – a North American periodical known for its long-range weather forecasts and astronomical insights – the Beaver Moon will be just 356,980km away from Earth.

By comparison, the average full moon orbits at about 384,400km away, according to US space agency Nasa. The smaller distance means the Moon will appear about 6 to 7 per cent larger and up to 15 per cent brighter than a typical full moon.

The moon’s closest approach to Earth in 2025 occurs on Nov 6, said the observatory. By that time, the moon will be a waning gibbous, which is a phase that occurs after the full moon.

While the Beaver Moon on Nov 5 will appear very large and bright, the Cold Moon on Dec 4 will be closer to Earth at the moment of its full phase. So, the Beaver Moon is considered the second-closest full moon of 2025.

The Beaver Moon follows the

first supermoon of the year, which appeared in October

, and will be succeeded by the final one – the Cold Moon.

The November full moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon, marking the time when beavers retreat to their lodges after gathering enough food for the winter.

While it will be visible across Singapore, the Science Centre Observatory recommends open areas such as Marina Barrage, East Coast Park and the Southern Ridges for an unobstructed view. No special equipment is needed.

Stargazers can also look forward to the Taurids meteor shower, which, while active from Oct 20, will peak in November. The Southern Taurids will peak at around 9pm on Nov 5, while the Northern Taurids will reach their peak at 8pm on Nov 9.

According to the Science Centre Observatory, the Taurids are made up of two separate streams originating from the constellation Taurus, or the Bull, near the bright star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster. The meteors, often slow and bright, can produce occasional fireballs.

In Singapore, the best time to view the Taurids is between midnight and 4am, when Taurus is highest in the sky. For the best experience, observers should head to dark, open areas away from city lights, such as beaches, parks or reservoirs.

With clear skies, viewers may catch up to 10 meteors an hour, and perhaps a few dazzling fireballs streaking across the night.