December Supermoon Reaches Peak This Week: Key Details

This week, sky gazers have an opportunity to witness December’s full supermoon, a notable celestial event marking the last supermoon of the year. Officially known as the “cold moon,” this phenomenon will peak at 6:14 p.m. ET on Thursday.

December Supermoon Details

The full moon will rise at sunset on Thursday, creating a striking sight in the night sky. Noah Petro, a project scientist for NASA’s Artemis III mission, noted that the moon appears full when it is directly opposite the sun. This moon phase will also be visible on Wednesday and Friday nights.

Understanding Supermoons

• A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its perigee, the closest point to Earth.
• This makes the moon look larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
• The term “cold moon” reflects its occurrence near the winter solstice, which is on December 21.

December’s full moon holds cultural significance as various indigenous groups have their unique names for it. For instance, the Cherokee refer to it as the “snow moon,” while the Abenaki call it the “winter maker moon.”

Historical Context

This celestial event coincides with significant anniversaries in space exploration. Apollo 8 launched on December 21, 1968, becoming the first crewed mission to orbit the moon. The mission included a famous Christmas Eve message from space. Additionally, Apollo 17, which launched on December 7, 1972, was the last mission that landed astronauts on the moon.

Looking Ahead

As December’s moon shines brightly, it also serves as a precursor to future lunar missions, particularly Artemis II. This mission, planned for early 2026, aims to send a crew of four on a 10-day journey around the moon.

“I encourage everyone to take the time to appreciate the full moon this week. Reflect on our achievements in 1968 and 1972, and look forward to Artemis II,” said Petro.

Upcoming Meteor Showers

In addition to the supermoon, stargazers can also look forward to the final two meteor showers of the year:

• Geminids: Peak viewing on December 13-14
• Ursids: Peak viewing on December 21-22

Both events promise to offer additional opportunities for sky enthusiasts to marvel at the wonders above.