The last moon of the year rises this week.
And it’ll be a “super” show.
Live Science reports that this “Cold Supermoon” — which the publication refers to as “a stunning spectacle” — will hang bright in the sky on Thursday, Dec. 4. You’ll be able to best see it at around 6:14 p.m., although it will also look bright and full the day before and after.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon got its chilly name from Native Americans due to the colder temperatures it appears in. It’s also known as the Long Night Moon, as it coincides closely with the longest nights of the year, around the time of the winter solstice.
Now, as for why the Cold Moon is “super,” NASA explains that a supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it the closest to our planet. This makes it look like it’s bigger and brighter, hence “super.”
“Because the Moon’s orbit wobbles and differs depending on where the Sun and Earth are in their orbits, the exact distance of these closest and furthest points varies, and some supermoons are closer or farther than others,” NASA explains.
“‘Supermoon” isn’t an official astronomical term, but typically it’s used to describe a full moon that comes within at least 90 percent of perigree [the point it’s closest to our planet].”
Live Science notes that the Cold Supermoon is the 12th moon of the year, and the final of four supermoons.
As previously stated, it’s also the last moon of 2025. That being said — enjoy the show!