Blog/Experiences
Final Supermoon of 2025: The Spectacular December Cold Moon
Tonight, December 3rd, the moon appears full in the night sky, but the Cold Moon officially reaches peak illumination at 6:14 p.m. EST on December 4th. It will be nearly as close and bright as November's supermoon, only about 244 miles farther away, marking the third in an extraordinary celestial series that won't repeat for over a decade.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon happens when a full moon occurs within 90% of perigee—its closest point to Earth—making it up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. At perigee on December 4, the moon will be just 221,965 miles away—about 17,000 miles closer than average.
Names for December's Full Moon
Most commonly known in the U.S. as the Cold Moon, as coined by the Mohawk Tribe, December's full moon carries many other traditional names. The Cherokee called it the Big Winter Moon, while the Chippewa knew it as the Moon of the Whirling Wind. Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultures named it the Moon Before Yule and the Darkest Depths Moon, reflecting the long, cold nights near the winter solstice.
When and Where to See It
For the most dramatic view, watch the Cold Moon rise just after sunset on the eastern horizon on December 4th. Thanks to the famous "moon illusion," it will look enormous as it rises above rooftops and trees. Look high in the east: the moon will form a dazzling triangle with brilliant Jupiter and the sparkling Pleiades star cluster (also known as the Seven Sisters), creating a celestial triangle that will make for spectacular viewing and photography.
Photography Tip
For photos, use a phone in night mode or a camera with a zoom lens. Include foreground trees or buildings to show off the moon's huge apparent size.
Looking Ahead
This supermoon is the third in a rare four-in-a-row streak, with the fourth consecutive supermoon arriving on January 3, 2026. Four consecutive supermoons last occurred in 2018 and won't happen again until 2037!
