2025's Final Supermoon Visible December 4

The final supermoon of 2025 will illuminate December night skies on Thursday, December 4, offering skywatchers a brighter and slightly larger view of the full moon without the need for telescopes or binoculars.

This celestial event occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth, known as perigee, in its elliptical orbit. According to NASA, the moon during a supermoon appears up to 14 percent larger in diameter and 30 percent brighter than it does at its farthest point, or apogee, during a so-called micromoon. Supermoons typically cluster a few times a year, aligning with the orbital sweet spots, and this one marks the last of three consecutive supermoons in 2025. Some astronomers note it as the third in a sequence of four, highlighting the periodic nature of these alignments.

The full moon, often called the Cold Moon in December due to the onset of winter chill, will reach peak illumination at 6:14 p.m. Eastern Time. It will remain visible throughout the night, appearing nearly full for observers across the United States and beyond, even if clouds obscure the exact peak. In clear conditions, the moon will dominate the sky as the brightest object...