Full 'Cold Moon' shines bright, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will also be visible; Details here

Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter will be visible in the night sky, with a highly uncommon phenomenon called Mars eclipse expected to occur near the moon’s peak fullness on Wednesday. During this time, the red planet will temporarily shield itself behind the moon. This extraordinary occurrence will be visible in Europe, America, and Northern Africa.

Moon Observing
Beginning at dusk, the full moon will advance over the sky. People of the Northern Hemisphere will have to wait longer to see the lunar eclipse as the sun sets earlier there. The moon will seem complete to the bare eye the day before and the day after.



Also, on December 7, 1972, the Apollo 17 spacecraft lifted off, the final mission of NASA’s Apollo program; with this, the total number of humans to have walked on the moon is 12. This year on November 16, NASA’s Artemis I mission was launched. It sent an unmanned Orion spacecraft on a 25.5-day voyage to the moon, and it is expected to return on December 11.

Although this is the year’s final full moon, there will be two additional meteor showers. While Geminids will peak on December 14, Ursids will peak on December 22.

FAQs:

1. Why did the Mohawk people call the December full moon tsothohrha or cold time?
   They call it so in alluding to the harsh weather that accompanies it.
2. What is the outlook for Wednesday evening?
   There will be partially overcast in NYC, clear skies in LA, and mostly cloudy skies in Chicago. Those in the Southern Hemisphere will see the same full moon at night.