How and When You Can Best See This Week’s Super Cold Moon

The last supermoon of the year will soon be gracing the sky. The December full moon, also called the Cold Moon, will be the third supermoon in a row to close the year. And Thursday will be your last chance to see this phenomenon for yourself before the end of 2025. Here’s what to know about this month’s supermoon. What is the Cold Moon? The “Cold Moon” is the name given to the full moon in December. The full moon that occurs each month has a special name that typically carries some kind of cultural or historical significance. The December full moon, for instance, is dubbed the Cold Moon because of the cold weather associated with the month, according to the Almanac. What is a supermoon? A “supermoon” is a full moon that appears to be bigger and brighter than usual. This phenomenon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth. At its perigree—meaning the point at which the moon is closest to Earth—the moon can appear to be 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year, according to NASA. There are a few supermoons every year—typically three or four. This year, three supermoons are occurring back-to-back, with the first in October, the second in November, and now this third and final one in December. When and how will you best be able to see the December supermoon? The December supermoon will be at its peak illumination on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:14 p.m. ET, according to the Almanac. You can usually see the supermoon just by looking up at the sky, but if you use a telescope or binoculars, you’ll be able to see more detail on the moon’s surface. The best way to view the moon is in an open, flat area where you have an uninterrupted view of the sky, with little light pollution.