This month's full moon is often known as the "Cold Moon" to reflect the frigid temperatures that are common in the Northern Hemisphere this time of year and also as the "Moon Before Yule," as it is the last full moon before the Christmas period. The lunar milestone will take place as the moon passes within 90% of its closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit — a point known as perigee — giving rise to a beautiful "supermoon" that can be up to 30% brighter and appear 14% larger than the smallest moon of 2025.

December's full moon will also occur in the closing phase of a "Major Lunar Standstill," a recurring 18.6-year event that sees the moon's orbit tilted at its most extreme angle relative to Earth's orbit. As a result, the lunar disk rises at a more northerly point on the horizon and

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