Rare Cold Moon and Lunar Standstill Illuminate December Skies

The final full moon of 2024 coincided with a major lunar standstill, a celestial event not expected to occur again until 2043.

The Cold Moon, December's full moon and the last of 2024, reached its peak brightness on December 15 and remained visible for three nights.
This year's Cold Moon coincided with a 'major lunar standstill,' where the moon rose and set at its northernmost and southernmost points on the horizon.
The lunar standstill, an event occurring roughly every 18.6 years, is a result of the Earth's and moon's orbital alignments and was last observed in 2006.
The Cold Moon is also known as the Long Night Moon, Oak Moon, or Yule Moon, and holds cultural and religious significance in various traditions worldwide.
Skywatchers in regions with clear skies were treated to additional celestial phenomena, including the Geminid meteor shower.