Overview
- NASA and almanacs place peak fullness at 6:14 p.m. ET on Dec. 4, with the Moon about 221,800–221,965 miles from Earth and appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moon.
- The Moon will look essentially full Dec. 3–5, with the most striking views near moonrise on an unobstructed eastern horizon and darker conditions favoring Friday evening for many in North America.
- The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the moonrise beginning at 20:00 UTC (3 p.m. ET) for viewers who face clouds or light pollution.
- Forecasters at the National Weather Service expect extensive cloud cover across much of the U.S. Thursday night, so check local conditions if planning to observe.
- Experts note the full Moon can drive higher ‘king’ tides in the day or so after peak, and the next supermoon is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2026, the Wolf Moon.