An astronomical spectacle that is difficult to repeat awaits New Yorkers. This Thursday, December 4, the last full Moon of the yearknown as the Cold Moon in the northern hemisphere, It will reach such an unusual configuration that it will not occur again until 2042.
International astronomers have already announced that This will be the most extreme supermoon of the 2024-2025 period, a unique combination of brightness, closeness and height in the sky.
The phenomenon will not only close the 2025 lunar calendar, but will also mark the most intense point of the major standstill, an 18.6-year cycle that modifies the maximum and minimum positions of the Moon in the sky. Its result: a supermoon that will rise especially high in mid-latitudes like New York City, where cold December skies typically offer particularly favorable viewing conditions.
What time to see the December supermoon in New York?
According to astronomical services, The Moon will reach its fullness on Thursday, December 4 at 6:14 p.m. (ET) New York. That means that its departure will coincide almost exactly with the end of twilight, an ideal time for those who want to take photographs with the horizon still illuminated.
For city residents, The supermoon will appear on the eastern horizon, visible from points such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hunters Point South, Long Island City, the Staten Island waterfront or the Battery Park promenade. As you ascend, your brightness will increase and the cold, dry atmosphere of winter will favor a clear view of the lunar disk.
Why is it considered an “extreme” supermoon?
The spectacularity of the event depends on its proximity to Earth. On December 4th, the Moon will reach 357,219 kilometers, a particularly short distance which increases its apparent size by around 8% compared to an average full Moon and its brightness by more than 16%.
Although it does not transform the night into a radically brighter landscape, it does allow us to observe more detail on the surface: craters, lunar seas and marked shadows. For amateur astronomers and photographers, it’s an opportunity that only comes around a handful of times a decade.
This “extreme” character arises from the coincidence between several factors:
* Perigee look for: The Moon will be at one of its points of closest approach to the Earth.
* Exact fullness: the moment when the Moon is placed directly in front of the Sun.
* Standstill mayor: the peak phase of the 18.6-year cycle, which pushes the Moon toward its highest positions in the sky.
In 2025, lunar fullness coincides with a particularly pronounced stretch of the standstill, so in the northern hemisphere, including New York, it will appear at its highest point of the year.
An orbital cycle that will not be repeated until 2042
The Moon’s orbit is not fixed. It continually warps, rotates, tilts, and responds to the Sun’s gravitational variations. This dynamic makes the exact coincidence between a full Moon and a very close perigee rare.
Although about 13 perigees occur per year, the alignment between that near point and the fullness phase rarely coincides with an extreme position of the standstill. Therefore, events like the one on December 4, 2025 will not be seen again for almost 2 decades.
What New Yorkers will see
In New York, the Moon will rise higher than any other night of the year due to the solstice mirror effect. Since the Sun reaches its lowest point around December 21, the full Moon, located exactly across the sky, moves to its highest point. That accentuated height, added to the perigee, creates an especially striking view.
Those who observe the supermoon from urban viewpoints or open spaces will be able to notice:
* A large and very bright lunar disk, ideal for photography with phones and basic cameras.
* Cold and dry skies, which reduce humidity and pollution, improving visibility.
* Color contrast when leaving, with yellowish or orange tones when it is still close to the horizon.
The city, with its skyscrapers and vertical architectural lines, works as a perfect frame to capture in images.
A phenomenon with history and tradition
The full Moon in December has had different names for centuries. In many cultures of the northern hemisphere it is known as the Cold Moon, the Long Night Moon or the Moon Before Yule. terms associated with the arrival of winter and the longest night of the year.
In North America, the Old Farmer’s Almanac He also calls it Moon of the Bursting Trees, evoking frozen branches. Indigenous traditions identify it as the Moon when the Deer Sheds Their Antlers or the Moon of the Winter Maker. Each name has a link to the natural environment and seasonal rhythms.
Tips for observing the supermoon in New York
1) Arrive early to a point with a clear view to the east.
2) Use binoculars or beginner telescopes to see details.
3) Try photographs when the Moon is low above the horizon.
4) Avoid areas with direct lights that reduce contrast.
The morning of December 5 will also offer an excellent view: although a little less bright, the Moon will still present a notable size.
Keep reading:
* NASA confirmed that Earth will have a “second moon” until 2083
* What is the importance of the moon in astrology and its influence on Aries
* The Earth will have a “second moon”: When and how you can see it