
The final full moon of the year — a supermoon known as the cold moon — shone brightly across the world this week.
It follows two other supermoons this year: the harvest supermoon on Oct. 7 and the beaver supermoon on Nov. 5.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon being at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. The moon, as a result, will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, December’s full moon is known as the cold moon, “reflecting the frigid season.” The almanac website says it’s “also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican) because it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice, and remains above the horizon for an extended period.”
Supermoons appear only three to four times a year, NASA says. And at its closest point to Earth, the moon can appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a moon that is farthest away from Earth.
The next full supermoon, also known as the wolf moon “because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time,” will happen on Jan. 3.
See photos of December’s dazzling supermoon below.
See more of our photo features on Yahoo News.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
At UN climate conference, some activists and scientists want more talk on reforming agriculture - 2
Cuba fights to contain spread of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus - 3
How to watch ‘The Traitors’ U.K. Season 4 from the U.S. - 4
Sustaining Public activity and Connections: Key Methodologies - 5
UAE-backed Yemeni Southern Transitional Council denies disbandment rumors
Two policemen injured at religious youth protest in Jerusalem marking Ahuvia Sandak's death
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket landed its booster on a barge at sea – an achievement that will broaden the commercial spaceflight market
Watch India launch advanced military satellite on rocket's 1st flight since May 2025 failure
AstraZeneca to acquire Modella AI to speed oncology drug research
Journey Lines for Each Explorer: Track down Your Ideal Journey
Remain Fit: Powerful Wellness and Work-out Schedules for a Better You
The most effective method to Pick A Trade-in vehicle Stage
Hamas Navy head, engineer of Khan Yunis tunnel network killed in Gaza, IDF confirms
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover could break the record for miles driven on another planet













