The Cold Supermoon will reach peak fullness at 6:50 pm IST on Thursday, December 4, 2025. While technically full at that time, the Moon will appear fully illuminated on both December 4 and 5, offering observers two nights to enjoy the phenomenon.
The term “Cold Moon” originates from traditional names given by various cultures, marking the onset of deep winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also referred to as the Long Nights Moon (Mohican), Moon Before Yule (Old English), Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree), Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki), and Moon When Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota).
This full moon earns the designation of a supermoon because it occurs near perigee, the Moon’s closest approach to Earth, appearing up to 30% brighter and roughly 10% larger than a typical full moon. In addition, December’s full moon reaches the highest point in the night sky due to the Sun dipping to its lowest position ahead of the winter solstice on December 21, making the Cold Moon appear especially radiant.
The event also coincides with the conclusion of an 18.6-year Major Lunar Standstill cycle, during which the Moon’s tilt is at its maximum, resulting in elevated moonrises and a more prominent position in the sky.
For those unable to view the Moon directly due to weather conditions, NASA and other observatories offer live streams, including the Virtual Telescope Project and Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
Astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to step outside after sunset tonight, look toward the eastern horizon, and witness 2025’s grand lunar finale a bright, dramatic, and historically significant Cold Supermoon.
