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Rare 'Cold Moon' Supermoon Peaks Thursday, With Next Comparable Display Not Expected Until 2042

A perigee full moon coincides with the 18.6‑year standstill, driving unusually high northern views with low southern horizons.

Overview

  • Peak illumination occurs at 23:14 GMT on December 4, appearing essentially full from December 3–5, with local maxima around 6:14 p.m. ET in the U.S., 20:14 in Argentina and 17:14 in Mexico City.
  • This is the year’s third and final supermoon and the most extreme of the 2024–2025 cycle, according to astronomy services cited by media and NASA confirmations.
  • At perigee the Moon can look up to about 14% larger and roughly 30% brighter than an average full moon, producing only modest, routine increases in tidal ranges.
  • Northern Hemisphere observers will see an unusually high arc, while in the Southern Hemisphere the Moon will track low with golden or reddish tones near the horizon.
  • Viewing requires no special equipment, though dark, open skies improve the experience, and NASA’s Noah Petro notes the Moon will also look full on the evenings before and after the peak.