December’s Supermoon Dazzles in the Night Sky on December 7
The last supermoon of 2023 will grace the night sky this week, with its peak occurring at 6:14 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7. Known as the cold moon, this full supermoon coincides with the winter solstice, which takes place on December 21. According to EarthSky, the moon will also appear full on the evenings of December 6 and December 8.
The term “supermoon” refers to the phenomenon when the moon reaches perigee, its closest point to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter. Noah Petro, project scientist for NASA’s Artemis III mission, explained, “On Thursday, the moon will rise right around sunset time, and that’s why it’s full, because it’s exactly opposite in the sky from where the sun is.”
Significance of the Cold Moon
The cold moon is recognized for its timing near the winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Indigenous tribes have given various names to this moon. For instance, the Cherokee people refer to it as the snow moon, while the Abenaki tribe calls it the winter maker moon. Petro noted how the clarity of winter nights enhances the brightness of the supermoon, stating, “The brightness of these supermoons in the winter, especially when it’s really cold, can be enhanced because the trees aren’t blocking the light.”
This month’s full moon also aligns with significant anniversaries in space exploration history. The Apollo 8 mission, which launched on December 21, 1968, was the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the moon. The astronauts aboard shared a unique holiday message from space on Christmas Eve of that year. Apollo 17, launched on December 7, 1972, marked the final time astronauts landed on the lunar surface.
Looking Ahead to Future Missions
As we look forward to the Artemis II mission, slated for launch between February and April 2026, excitement is building for another chapter in lunar exploration. This mission will send a crew of four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the moon, a significant step towards returning humans to the lunar surface.
Petro encourages everyone to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the cold moon this week. “I would encourage folks to go out this week, go look at the moon, bask in its glory. Think back to what we did in 1968 and 1972 with Apollo 8 and Apollo 17, and then turn the corner and say, hey, we’re just maybe two full moons away from sending humans back to fly past the moon,” he said.
Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a casual observer, this celestial event promises to be a remarkable sight. As the cold moon brightens the night sky, it serves as a reminder of humanity’s ongoing journey into space.
