Cold Moon: Don't Miss The Last Full Moon Of 2021 This Weekend

KEY POINTS

The December full moon will make a "full moon weekend"
It is known by several names, including the "Cold Moon" and "Moon before Yule"
It's important to stay warm during winter sky watching

Sky watchers, prepare for the last full moon of the year as the Cold moon is set to rise this weekend.

The December full moon will reach its full illumination on Saturday at 11.36 p.m. EST, although it's so close to midnight that it will actually be Sunday in many places such as Venezuela, Asia, Africa and Australia, NASA noted. This time, it will make for a "full moon weekend" because the moon will appear full for three days, from Friday evening until Monday morning.

The full moon is also quite special because of its "high trajectory in the sky," the Old Farmer's Almanac noted. This means it will be above the horizon for a bit longer.

"For the Washington, D.C., area, on Saturday evening into Sunday morning, Dec. 18 to 19, 2021, the Moon will be in the sky for a total of 15 hours 33 minutes, with 14 hours 34 minutes of this when the Sun is down, making this the longest full Moon night of the year," NASA noted.

Just like all the other full moons, the December full moon is also known by quite a few names. This includes the "Cold moon," which is a Mohawk name that pertains to the colder temperatures at this time of the year, the "Winter Maker Moon" (Western Abenaki), the "Snow Moon" (Haida, Cherokee) and the "Drift Clearing Moon" (Cree).

It is also called the "Moon before Yule" since it’s the moon before the winter solstice, which is on Tuesday morning. According to NASA, Yule is the three-day winter solstice festival observed in pre-Christian Europe.

Winter sky watching

Sky watching in December may be a bit chillier than other times of the year, so space enthusiasts should keep some of NASA's tips in mind while looking at the night skies during wintertime. This includes the all-important tip to wear multiple layers of clothing. This way, if it gets a bit too warm, you can just remove a layer depending on your comfort.

It's also important to bring items that can help keep you warm, such as gloves, blankets, caps, earmuffs and even heat pads. Wearing waterproof boots will help prevent the water from soaking through the boots and making your toes cold.

Bringing a thermos of hot cocoa, soup or tea will help keep you warm and cozy while keeping your eyes on the skies.