December's 'Cold Moon' to Shine as Year's Highest Full Moon

The final full moon of 2024, known as the Cold Moon, will peak on December 15 and coincide with other celestial events like meteor showers and planetary alignments.

The December 2024 Cold Moon will reach full illumination on Sunday, December 15, at 4:02 a.m. EST and will appear full for about three days.
This full moon is the highest of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, mirroring the sun's lowest path in the sky during the winter solstice season.
Known by various names such as the Long Night Moon and the Moon Before Yule, it is associated with long, cold nights and winter traditions across cultures.
The Cold Moon will rise surrounded by prominent celestial objects, including Jupiter, Mars, and the bright stars Capella, Pollux, and Betelgeuse.
Other notable astronomical events this month include the Geminid meteor shower, peaking under bright moonlight on December 13-14, and the winter solstice on December 21.