December’s Cold Moon: How to Watch the Last Supermoon of 2025

Key Points

• December’s Cold Moon is the last supermoon of 2025.

• It will rise on Thursday, December 4, appearing larger and brighter.

• A supermoon occurs when the full Moon aligns with perigee, its closest point to Earth.

• UK moonrise times range from 14:29 to 15:05 GMT, depending on the city.

• The Cold Moon will appear near the Pleiades, Aldebaran, Jupiter, and Orion.

• Early clouds may affect parts of the UK, but clear skies are expected overnight.

• December’s full Moon is traditionally called the Cold Moon, Long Night Moon, and Moon Before Yule.

• The event aligns with anniversaries of Apollo 8 and Apollo 17.

• The Moon rises during a Major Lunar Standstill, giving it a higher and more northern path.

• Viewers can watch live online via the Virtual Telescope Project and Griffith Observatory.

Cold Moon 2025: Exact Time, Weather Forecast, and How to Watch Live

Stargazers have one final lunar spectacle to look forward to in 2025. December’s Cold Moon, which also happens to be the year’s final supermoon, will rise on Thursday, 4 December, lighting up the sky with an unusually bright and enlarged glow.

This event marks the third consecutive supermoon of the year — a sequence that won’t occur again until early 2026.

What Makes the Cold Moon a Supermoon?

The Moon becomes a supermoon when it reaches perigee, the closest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth. If that moment coincides with the full Moon phase — an alignment astronomers call syzygy — the Moon appears noticeably bigger and shines more intensely.

While supermoons are relatively common, appearing several times a year, seeing three back-to-back adds an extra layer of rarity to this December event.

Exact Time to Spot the Cold Moon

On 4 December, the Cold Moon will begin its ascent in the northeastern sky, offering skywatchers across the UK a long viewing window.

Moonrise Schedule

• London: 14:52 GMT

• Edinburgh: 14:29 GMT

• Belfast: 14:52 GMT

• Cardiff: 15:05 GMT

The Moon will remain visible until around 8–9 a.m. the next morning, giving plenty of time for night photography or casual viewing.

Night-Sky Companions

As it climbs higher, the Cold Moon will appear near:

• The shimmering Pleiades

• The red star Aldebaran

• Brilliant Jupiter

• The winter constellation Orion

This natural lineup creates ideal conditions for both stargazers and photographers hoping to capture a dramatic scene.

Weather Outlook for Viewing

A band of cloud and rain is forecast to push eastward across parts of the UK on Thursday. Northern and eastern regions may experience reduced visibility early in the evening.

However, skies are expected to clear overnight, with misty patches and frosty temperatures developing in some locations. Checking your local weather report before heading outside is recommended.

Why December’s Full Moon Is Called the “Cold Moon”

The name “Cold Moon” has deep roots in traditional seasonal calendars. Long before modern timekeeping, Indigenous cultures and early societies named each Moon based on seasonal cues.

December’s Moon is associated with:

• Cold Moon — marking winter’s arrival

• Long Night Moon — reflecting the lengthy winter nights

• Moon Before Yule — tied to pre-solstice traditions

• Snow Moon (Cherokee)

• Winter Maker Moon (Abenaki)

This full Moon appears just weeks before the winter solstice, the darkest and shortest day of the year.

A Celestial Event with NASA History

December’s full Moon also aligns with significant anniversaries from NASA’s lunar program.

Apollo 8

Launched on 21 December 1968, it was the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon.

Apollo 17

Lifted off on 7 December 1972, marking humanity’s last landing on the lunar surface.

NASA’s Noah Petro, project scientist for Artemis III, notes that the Cold Moon offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on past exploration and the missions ahead.

The Cold Moon and the Future of Artemis

This final supermoon appears only months before the scheduled launch window of Artemis II, expected between February and April 2026. The mission will send astronauts on a journey around the Moon — the first human trip beyond low Earth orbit in more than five decades.

Petro says the Cold Moon is a fitting reminder of how close humanity is to returning astronauts to deep space.

How to Watch the Supermoon Online

If clouds or city lights limit your view, several livestreams will broadcast the Cold Moon in real time.

🌕 Virtual Telescope Project (Italy)

Dec 4 at 3 p.m. EST / 20:00 GMT
Astronomer Gianluca Masi will share live telescopic visuals from Italy, along with some of his best lunar photos.

🌕 Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)

Dec 5 at 8:27 p.m. EST / 01:27 GMT (Dec 6)
Watch the Moon rise over Los Angeles from the iconic observatory on Mount Hollywood.

A Rare Alignment: The Major Lunar Standstill

December’s Cold Moon rises during the final stage of a Major Lunar Standstill, a rare 18.6-year cycle when the Moon’s orbit tilts at its maximum angle. This makes the Moon:

• Rise farther north

• Reach a higher altitude

• Follow a more dramatic path across the sky

It’s one of the most photogenic lunar moments of the decade.

Tips for the Best Viewing Experience

To make the most of the Cold Moon:

• Choose a spot with an open view of the eastern horizon

• Bring binoculars or a telescope for enhanced detail

• Photograph the Moon during moonrise for the largest apparent size

• Compare live views with livestreams for a richer experience

Bottom Line

December’s Cold Moon isn’t just the last full Moon of the year — it’s the final supermoon of 2025, arriving with astronomical significance, cultural meaning, and historical ties to NASA’s lunar missions.

Whether you catch it in person or through online broadcasts, this supermoon is one of the year’s most captivating astronomical events.