Cold Moon dazzles: Last supermoon of 2025 lights up the world in epic pics
The final supermoon of the year appeared on 5 December, offering a rare view as the Cold Moon rose brighter and larger than usual, visible across much of the globe.
The last supermoon of 2025 made its much-anticipated appearance in the early hours of December 5, captivating skygazers around the world with its striking presence.
Known as the Cold Moon, this full moon rose brilliantly, standing out as the second-biggest and second-brightest of the year. Across India and other regions, the spectacle drew crowds eager to witness the celestial event firsthand, providing an ideal subject for photographers and astronomy enthusiasts alike.
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Astronomers reported that the supermoon was 100 per cent illuminated at 4:44 am, reaching its full phase at a time when the Moon was closest to Earth in its orbit. This alignment caused the Moon to appear distinctly larger and brighter. Viewers noted the impressive size just after moonrise, when the so-called Moon illusion made the satellite seem even more prominent on the horizon.
The phenomenon of a supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides closely with perigee, the point in its elliptical orbit when it is nearest to Earth. The Moon is about 357,218 km from our planet, roughly 10 to 14 per cent closer than average. It appears up to 14 per cent larger in diameter and 30 per cent brighter than the faintest Moon of the year, according to Nasa.
Such an event is technically described by experts as "perigee syzygy". This scientific term underpins the popular fascination with supermoons and their visual impact.
December's Cold Moon is steeped in tradition, with its name reflecting the long, chilly nights of the northern winter. It is also referred to as the Long Nights Moon or the Moon Before Yule in folklore. This final supermoon of the year came after a rare sequence of three consecutive supermoons marking October, November, and December, making 2025 particularly memorable for lunar events.
Stargazers highlighted that the supermoon’s increased brightness and size were especially noticeable just after sunset, when the Moon climbed over the eastern horizon. At this time, the visual effect was enhanced, and clear skies allowed for optimal viewing in many parts of India and beyond. Weather permitting, the event was visible to millions, with the best views in areas free from light pollution.
The December supermoon also exerted a noticeable influence on Earth’s tides. As the Moon drew closer, it caused higher-than-normal tides, a phenomenon observed during each supermoon event. The timing of this supermoon, ahead of the Geminids meteor shower, meant that the night sky remained exceptionally dark afterwards, providing further opportunities for stargazing.
The term "supermoon" is not an official astronomical designation, but it has become widely used to describe any full or new Moon that comes within 90 per cent of its closest approach to Earth. This year’s final supermoon marked the end of 2025’s run of remarkable lunar displays, leaving many looking skyward in anticipation of the next striking cosmic event.
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