Last Full Moon of the Year: Cold Supermoon to Pass Nearly Overhead Tonight
Last Full Moon of the Year to Shine Tonight: Cold Supermoon to Appear 10% Larger and Brighter: The final full moon of the year—known as the Cold Moon—will illuminate the night sky this evening, marking a spectacular astronomical event. This full moon will be the highest full moon of the year and is being referred to as the Cold Supermoon, as it will be unusually close to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.
Astronomers say the Cold Supermoon will be visible soon after sunset today, December 4, across India. Around 7 pm, skywatchers will witness a large orange-colored moon rising above the horizon. The most stunning view, however, is expected tomorrow evening, when the full moon will appear about an hour after sunset. If the weather remains clear, the event can be enjoyed without any telescope.
Why It’s a Supermoon
A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth at the same time it becomes a full moon. This evening, the moon will be only 357,000 km from Earth, making it appear 10% larger and up to 30% brighter than an average full moon.
Fourth Supermoon of the Year
This Cold Moon marks the fourth supermoon of 2025, and it is the second largest after November’s supermoon. The December full moon is also the highest full moon of the year because of the sun’s position. On December 21, the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, and since the moon is always opposite the sun, the full moon rises to its highest point during winter nights. This causes the moon to pass nearly directly overhead.
The Long Night Moon
Because winter nights are longer, the bright moon remains visible for an extended period. This full moon is therefore also known as the Long Night Moon.
