Astronomers and moon lovers in general are looking forward to the Cold Moon making its appearance this coming Friday, December 5. The final supermoon of 2025 will light up the night sky. It may be called the long night moon or the moon before Yule in some traditions. The Cold Moon serves as the start of winter for those of us in the northern hemisphere. This event happens in mid-December, very near the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.
Plus, being a supermoon means the Cold Moon will look larger and brighter than usual, too. This is the case during perigee, when the moon is closer to the Earth than normal. That’s due to the moon’s oval-shaped orbit, not its distance from Earth. This unusual trajectory makes its distance from Earth continuously vary.
Viewing Times Across Australia
The best viewing times vary by city:
- Sydney: 8:35 PM
- Melbourne: 9:16 PM
- Brisbane: 7:07 PM
- Perth: 7:57 PM
- Canberra: 8:49 PM
- Adelaide: 9:02 PM
- Darwin: 7:31 PM
- Hobart: 9:28 PM
As night falls, residents across these cities will have a chance to enjoy the Cold Moon in all its glory.
Significance of the Cold Moon
As the Cold Moon ushers in a return to longer nights, its namesake has powerful associations with embracing seasonal change and hibernation. Its name’s no coincidence, as wintry conditions have remained persistent throughout the season! Beyond the foliage, it holds cultural significance as an important symbol for different winter celebrations and traditions around the world.
The Cold Moon will be the last of this year’s supermoons. More importantly, it will get us fired up for the amazing celestial events that await us on the horizon. Sky watchers will have to wait until 2026 for two more supermoons like this one. Don’t miss the first full moon of 2023, the wolf moon, rising on January 3!
Future Supermoons and Their Appeal
Whether it’s their subtler beauty or just their rarity, there’s something about supermoons that bewitches many stargazers. Not only do they provide completely unique visual experiences and photo opportunities, they’re hard to replicate. The Cold Moon will be the last supermoon of 2023. So all space lovers out there, don’t miss your opportunity to witness this amazing phenomenon!
We’ll see you for the next supermoon in October! It’s a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of our closest celestial neighbor. That sense of excitement and wonder is a testament to our deep-rooted desire to connect with the universe and its patterns.
