The final supermoon of 2025 will rise this week, offering Canadians one last chance to catch the moon at its biggest and brightest before the year ends.
This week’s supermoon, also known as “The Cold Moon,” is the last of three supermoons this fall and the last one until November 2026. It will peak at 6:14 P.M. EST. on Dec. 4, according to both NASA and The Almanac.
Supermoons occur when a full moon happens near perigee, the closest point in the moon’s orbit around Earth, according to NASA. Because the orbit is not a perfect circle, the Moon appears slightly larger and brighter when it swings closer.
NASA says a supermoon can look up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than the faintest full moon of the year.
Why is it called the Cold Moon?
The Almanac says December’s full Moon is traditionally known as the “Cold Moon,” a Mohawk name marking the arrival of frigid temperatures. It is also called the Long Night Moon in Mohican tradition, reflecting the long, dark evenings near the winter solstice.
How can Canadians see it?
The supermoon will be visible across Canada if skies are clear. According to the Almanac, the best views typically come just after moonrise, when the Moon sits low on the horizon and appears more dramatic in size and colour.
You can check the Almanac’s moonrise and moonset calculator to find out the best time for watching the “Cold Moon.”
