Current:Home > MyWhen and where to see the Cold Moon, the longest and last full moon of 2023-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
When and where to see the Cold Moon, the longest and last full moon of 2023
View Date:2025-01-11 09:22:36
The longest — and last — full moon of the year will appear on Monday night and peak on Tuesday.
December's full moon, also known as the Cold Moon and Long Night Moon, will reach peak illumination at 7:33 p.m. ET on Tuesday, according to NASA. It will look like a full moon until Thursday morning. The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for different ZIP codes across the United States.
To view the full moon, it's not rocket science: NASA recommends going outside and looking up at the sky. Using a telescope or binoculars will magnify the moon and clarify details on its surface.
Where does December's full moon get its name from?
December's full moon gets its Cold Moon moniker from Mohawk traditions, according to the Farmer's Almanac. The name is based on the frigid conditions of the time of year.
The full moon is also called the Long Night Moon because December's full moon occurs near the winter solstice, which has the longest night of the year. This year's solstice was on Dec. 21.
"The full moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun, so the moon will be above the horizon longer than at other times of the year," according to NASA.
Other names for December's full moon include Drift Clearing Moon, Frost Exploding Trees Moon, Moon of the Popping Trees, Hoar Frost Moon, Snow Moon, Winter Maker Moon, Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers and Little Spirit Moon, according to the Farmer's Almanac. Ancient pagans in Europe called the December full Moon the Moon Before Yule.
Next month's full moon is dubbed the Wolf Moon. It will peak on Jan. 25.
Is the moon ever full on Christmas?
December's full moon does fall on Christmas sometimes, but it's a rare occasion. The last full moon to peak on Christmas was in 2015. Before that, there hadn't been one since 1977.
Astronomers say the next Christmas full moon won't be until 2034.
- In:
- Moon
- Winters
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (31687)
Related
- Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign
- Kris Jenner’s Sister Karen Houghton Dead at 65
- Russia's Vladimir Putin hails election victory, but critics make presence known despite harsh suppression
- Peter Navarro is 1st Trump White House official to serve prison time related to Jan. 6 attack
- McDonald's Version: New Bestie Bundle meals celebrate Swiftie friendship bracelets
- As electric vehicle sales slow, US relaxes plans for stricter auto emissions standards for a while
- Chicago sues gunmaker Glock over conversions to machine guns
- Drones and robots could replace some field workers as farming goes high-tech
- Agents search home of ex-lieutenant facing scrutiny as police probe leak of school shooting evidence
- Shawn Johnson Shares the Hardest Part of Parenting 3 Kids Under 5
Ranking
- Human head washes ashore on Florida beach, police investigating: reports
- Abortion story from wife of Nevada Senate hopeful reveals complexity of issue for GOP candidates
- Missing college student's debit card found along Nashville river; police share new video
- Purdue’s Edey, Tennessee’s Knecht, UNC’s Davis headline the AP men’s college All-America teams
- Jason Kelce collaborates with Stevie Nicks for Christmas duet: Hear the song
- Joann files for bankruptcy amid consumer pullback, but plans to keep stores open
- Olympic law rewrite calls for public funding for SafeSport and federal grassroots sports office
- Olivia Culpo Reveals Her Non-Negotiable for Christian McCaffrey Wedding
Recommendation
-
Garth Brooks wants to move his sexual assault case to federal court. How that could help the singer.
-
Looking for a way to ditch that afternoon coffee? Here are the health benefits of chai tea
-
Kris Jenner’s Sister Karen Houghton Dead at 65
-
What the 'mission from God' really was for 'The Blues Brothers' movie
-
Olivia Munn began randomly drug testing John Mulaney during her first pregnancy
-
Contraceptives will be available without a prescription in New York following a statewide order
-
Princess Kate's photograph of Queen Elizabeth flagged as 'digitally enhanced' by Getty
-
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Fail to Reach Divorce Settlement