12/05/2025
Tonight—December 4, 2025—the final full moon of the year reaches peak illumination at 6:14 PM EST. The Cold Moon supermoon positioned just 221,806 miles from Earth offers the last spectacular lunar event before 2026.
**Tonight's Supermoon Specifications:**
The Cold Moon reaches full phase at 6:14 PM EST (3:14 PM PST) tonight, occurring just 11 hours after perigee (closest approach to Earth at 7:07 AM EST). This timing creates a true supermoon—appearing approximately 14% larger and 30% brighter than an average full moon.
**Key Facts:**
- **Distance:** 221,806 miles (357,000 km) from Earth
- **Peak illumination:** 6:14 PM EST / 5:14 PM CST / 4:14 PM MST / 3:14 PM PST
- **Brightness increase:** 30% brighter than apogee full moon
- **Size increase:** 14% larger angular diameter
- **Ranking:** Second-closest full moon of 2025
- **Duration above horizon:** 15-16 hours (nearly twice summer full moons)
**Moonrise Times Tonight Across USA:**
- **East Coast (NYC, Boston, Miami):** 4:30-4:50 PM EST
- **Southeast (Atlanta, Charlotte):** 5:00-5:20 PM EST
- **Midwest (Chicago, Detroit):** 4:40-5:15 PM CST
- **Central (Dallas, Houston):** 5:30-5:45 PM CST
- **Mountain (Denver, Phoenix):** 5:00-5:30 PM MST
- **Pacific (LA, Seattle, San Francisco):** 5:45-6:10 PM PST
**Why "Cold Moon"?**
Native American tribes, particularly Algonquian-speaking peoples, named December's full moon the Cold Moon marking the onset of deep winter—frozen ground, heavy snowfall, and the longest nights of the year. Alternative traditional names include Long Night Moon (proximity to December 21 winter solstice), Moon Before Yule (Germanic celebrations), and Oak Moon (Celtic Druidic calendars).
**Unique December Full Moon Altitude:**
Tonight's Cold Moon reaches the highest point of any full moon throughout the entire year. This occurs because full moons sit opposite the Sun in Earth's sky. During winter solstice season when the Sun traces its lowest arc, the full moon climbs to its corresponding maximum height—following the path the summer Sun takes. Result: 15-16 hours above the horizon at mid-northern latitudes, rising early around sunset, reaching extraordinary height at midnight, remaining visible well into morning.
**The Moon Illusion Tonight:**
When tonight's supermoon rises near the horizon through winter-bare trees or over landscapes, it appears 1.5 to 2 times larger than when directly overhead. This is the Moon Illusion—an optical effect whose exact mechanism scientists still debate, but whose perceptual reality is undeniable. Combined with genuine 14% size increase from perigee proximity and golden-orange coloration from atmospheric light scattering at horizon, tonight's moonrise creates a spectacular visual phenomenon.
**Atmospheric Optics Explained:**
The golden-orange color visible during moonrise results from Rayleigh scattering—the same phenomenon creating red sunsets. When moonlight passes through more atmosphere near the horizon, shorter blue wavelengths scatter away while longer red-orange wavelengths reach your eyes. As the supermoon rises higher, atmospheric thickness decreases and the moon appears white-silver.
**Photography Tips for Tonight:**
**Optimal Timing:**
First 30-60 minutes after moonrise (Moon Illusion effect + golden color most dramatic)
**Camera Settings:**
- Shutter speed: 1/250 to 1/500 sec (moon moves—need fast shutter)
- Aperture: f/8 to f/11 for sharpness
- ISO: 200-400 (adjust for exposure)
- Manual focus on moon surface details
- Use tripod for stability
**Composition Tips:**
- Include foreground elements (bare trees, buildings, winter landscape)
- Shoot when moon is low for maximum Moon Illusion effect
- Position moon in upper third with interesting landscape below
- Silhouettes work beautifully—expose for bright moon
**Smartphone Tips:**
- Use night mode if available
- Tap to focus directly on moon
- Reduce exposure slightly (swipe down) to prevent overexposure
- Use telephoto lens if your phone has multiple cameras
- Steady phone against solid surface or use small tripod
**Why This Supermoon Appears Brighter:**
The 30% brightness increase compared to an average full moon has measurable effects:
- Casts distinct shadows on snow-covered ground
- Provides sufficient light for outdoor nighttime activities without flashlights
- Creates silvery glow on winter landscapes visible for miles
- Reflects prominently on water and ice surfaces
- Historical significance: provided extended illumination during longest, darkest nights for societies without artificial lighting
**Scientific Context:**
This is the third and final supermoon of 2025 (following October 17 and November 15 supermoons). The next supermoon occurs January 13, 2026—the Wolf Moon—though it won't be quite as close as tonight's Cold Moon (357,000 km vs 361,000 km). After January, we'll wait until October 2026 before the next supermoon cycle begins.
**Observable Moon Features Tonight:**
With naked eyes you can see:
- **Maria (dark patches):** Ancient lava plains including Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, Mare Tranquillitatis
- **Bright rays:** Radiating from crater Tycho (visible as bright streaks)
- **Overall brightness:** Noticeably brighter than typical full moons
With binoculars or telescope you can observe:
- **Major craters:** Tycho, Copernicus, Kepler showing depth and structure
- **Crater rays:** Bright ejecta patterns from impact events
- **Lunar highlands:** Lighter-colored mountainous regions
- **Sharp terminator details:** (Best viewed days before/after full moon, but some visible tonight)
**Viewing Conditions and Locations:**
Check local weather forecasts for cloud cover. Clear skies provide optimal viewing. Best locations:
- Open areas with unobstructed eastern horizon view for moonrise
- Elevated positions (hills, tall buildings) for extended visibility
- Areas with minimal light pollution for best contrast
- Locations with interesting foreground elements (bare trees, architecture) for photography
**Extended Viewing Window Tonight:**
Because the Cold Moon remains above the horizon for 15+ hours, you have multiple opportunities:
- **Moonrise twilight (4:30-6:30 PM EST):** Golden-orange moon near horizon—most dramatic visual
- **Evening ascent (7:00-10:00 PM EST):** Moon climbing higher, color transitioning to white-silver
- **Midnight peak (11:00 PM-1:00 AM EST):** Moon at maximum altitude overhead
- **Pre-dawn (5:00-7:00 AM EST tomorrow):** Still brilliant approaching western horizon
**What Makes Tonight Special:**
This is the final full moon of 2025. While the January 2026 Wolf Moon will also be a supermoon, tonight's Cold Moon represents the year-end completion of lunar cycles. It's the last opportunity in 2025 to witness a supermoon's enhanced brightness and size—making it both astronomically and symbolically significant as we transition into 2026.
**Observable Companions Tonight:**
The Cold Moon rises in the constellation Ta**us, near several notable celestial objects:
- **Pleiades (Seven Sisters):** Open star cluster visible to naked eye, appearing above the moon
- **Aldebaran:** Orange giant star (Ta**us's "eye"), bright and visible near moon
- **Jupiter:** Brilliant planet visible near moon throughout the night
- **Orion constellation:** Visible to the east, featuring Betelgeuse and Rigel
Step outside tonight when the supermoon rises. Look toward the eastern horizon. Watch Earth's only natural satellite climb into the December sky, reflecting sunlight from 221,806 miles away—close enough to appear extraordinarily large and bright, distant enough to inspire wonder. This is your last chance in 2025 to witness a supermoon.
Have you photographed supermoons before? What camera settings work best for you? Share your tips in the comments!
