The Last “Supermoon” of 2025 Over San Francisco

“Supermoon” Night Over San Francisco 2025

David Yu via Flickr

Thanks to an optical illusion in the sky, the moon will appear bigger and brighter than normal in the San Francisco Bay Area in the night, during what astronomers call a “supermoon.”

Because the sun is about 50,000 miles closer to the earth than at its furthest point – and it’s a full or new moon – the moon will appear larger and brighter than most full moons. To be considered a supermoon, it has to be within 224,851 miles (361,863 kilometers) of our planet, as measured from the centers of the moon and Earth.

The best time to observe the supermoon is when the moon is near the horizon during either moonrise or moonset, thanks to having objects in the foreground (like buildings or trees) to provide reference points for estimating the moon’s size.

2025 Supermoons

Thanks to NASA for sharing the details of the 2025’s supermoons and Eclipse information.

October 6 – Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Sun, with its face fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 03:49 UTC (October 7). Early Native American tribes called this the Hunter’s Moon, as it marked the time of year when leaves fell, and game animals were well-fed and ready for hunting. It is also known as the Travel Moon and the Blood Moon. This is the first of three supermoons in 2025. Being near its closest approach to Earth, the Moon may appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.

November 5 – Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Sun, with its face fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 13:21 UTC. Early Native American tribes called this the Beaver Moon, as it marked the time to set beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It is also known as the Frosty Moon and the Dark Moon. This is the second of three supermoons in 2025, with the Moon near its closest approach to Earth, appearing slightly larger and brighter than usual.

December 4 – Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Sun, with its face fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 23:15 UTC. Early Native American tribes referred to it as the Cold Moon, marking the time when winter’s chill settles in, and nights grow long and dark. It is also known as the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule. This is the final supermoon of 2025, with the Moon near its closest approach to Earth, appearing slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Read more about Supermoons at Earthsky

2025 Eclipses

March 14 – Total Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes entirely through Earth’s dark shadow, known as the umbra. During this event, the Moon gradually darkens before taking on a reddish hue, often called a “blood moon.” This eclipse will be visible across all of North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The maximum eclipse will be at 11:58 pm PST.

Thursday, December 4, 2025
“Supermoon” Night Over San Francisco 2025

This is the final supermoon of 2025, with the Moon near its closest approach to Earth, appearing slightly larger and brighter than usual.

The Moon will be directly opposite the Sun, with its face fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 23:15 UTC. Early Native American tribes referred to it as the Cold Moon, marking the time when winter’s chill settles in, and nights grow long and dark. It is also known as the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule.

The best time to view the supermoon is when it’s at the horizon so that you have buildings, trees, hills or mountains to compare it to when the moon is low on the horizon. So the best viewing times are either just after moonrise or just before moonset, even if it’s not at the exact minute of the super moon’s peak effect.

San Francisco Moonrise/Moonset Times for Ideal Viewing
On December 4, 2025, the moonrise is 4:26 pm and the moonset is 7:05 am.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.