This weekend, the final full moon of the year, known as the cold moon, will appear early on Sunday, December 15. This full moon will also feature a lunar rarity where it will rise and set at its most extreme northerly points on the horizon, a phenomenon that occurs once every 18.6 years. This event is known as the major lunar standstill, caused by the moon’s inclined orbit over an 18.6-year cycle.
The major lunar standstill occurs because the moon does not follow the same path as the sun, causing its rising and setting positions on the horizon to constantly change. This month’s full moon will reach peak illumination on Sunday, December 15 at 4:02 a.m. EST, and is commonly known as the cold moon due to the frigid conditions of December.
The full moon in January 2025, dubbed the wolf moon, will rise on Monday, January 13. The December full moon is also called the long night moon, as it is close to the winter solstice, which marks the longest night of the year on Saturday, December 21 at 4:19 a.m. EST. Overall, this weekend’s full moon presents a unique opportunity to witness a rare celestial event and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
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