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Your last chance to see the supermoon in 2025 is fast approaching. The December full moon is scheduled to appear on December 4th, exactly one week after Thanksgiving. Even if you didn’t plan to see it, you’ll probably see it anyway, because it will be the brightest thing in the night sky.
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December’s cold moon is the third of four consecutive supermoons and the last of 2025. The supermoon tends to appear in groups of four thanks to how the moon orbits around Earth. The orbit is elliptical, meaning the moon is closer during some months and farther away in others. When it is close to Earth, it is referred to as perigee, and a full moon during perigee is considered a supermoon.
The apparent difference in size between an average full moon and a supermoon can be subtle, but it is there.
Since it is closer, the moon will be a little larger and brighter in the night sky. According to NASA, a supermoon is 14% larger and 33% brighter than a minimoon, which occurs during a full moon when the moon is furthest from Earth, a phenomenon known as apogee. Therefore, it is the best time to view the full moon outside of special occasions Such as blood moons or lunar eclipses.
When is the full moon in December?
Farmer’s Almanac Reports indicate that December’s full moon will occur on the evening of December 4. It will reach peak illumination at 6:14 PM ET. Thanks to the recent change in daylight saving time, it should be dark enough to see in most of the United States, but if it’s not, it will still be full all night. Those who can’t see it due to weather can see the moon more than 90% full from December 2 to 6.
You won’t need any special equipment to see the moon, because it will be the brightest thing in the night sky by a wide margin. Those who want to see more details can certainly use a telescope or binoculars if they so choose, which will make them able to see more details Various moon craters Textures are easier to see.
The December full moon is often referred to as the cold moon, because it usually occurs when the weather starts to get very cold. The moon is earning its name this time around, as a polar vortex is scheduled to hit the United States over Thanksgiving and will continue for a while afterward. Polar vortex It will lead to lower temperatures In most parts of the United States during the week of December 1st, so if you go out, be sure to pack your bags.