December 2024's Full Cold Moon Illuminates Night Sky Near Jupiter

The last full moon of the year peaks on December 15, aligning with Jupiter and offering unique astronomical and astrological significance.

The December full moon, known as the Cold Moon, reached its peak fullness at 9:02 UTC on December 15, 2024, and will appear full for two nights, December 14 and 15.
The moon is positioned near the bright planet Jupiter in the constellation Gemini, with the twin stars Castor and Pollux also visible nearby.
This full moon takes a high path across the sky in the Northern Hemisphere, mimicking the June sun’s trajectory, while appearing low in the Southern Hemisphere, similar to a winter sun.
Astrologically, the full moon in Gemini coincides with Mercury turning direct, suggesting a period of clarity and resolution after weeks of reflection during Mercury retrograde.
The December Cold Moon is the final full moon of 2024 and occurs just one week before the December solstice, marking the transition to winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.