Fri Dec 13 06:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Cold Moon to Reach Peak Illumination This Weekend, Offering Rare Northerly View
**Los Angeles, CA** – Stargazers are in for a celestial treat this weekend. The final full moon of 2024, known as the Cold Moon, will reach peak illumination early Sunday, December 15th, at 4:02 a.m. EST. However, the moon will appear full to the naked eye on both Saturday and Monday as well.
This year’s Cold Moon is particularly special. It marks a major lunar standstill, a phenomenon occurring only once every 18.6 years. This means the moon will rise and set at its most northerly point on the horizon, a result of the moon’s orbit wobbling over time. The Griffith Observatory explains this wobble as a gradual shift in the moon’s rising and setting points over an 18.6-year cycle, with a roughly three-year pause at each extreme.
The Cold Moon moniker, attributed to the Mohawk people, reflects the onset of frigid winter weather. NASA confirms this, noting December’s typically colder temperatures. It is also sometimes called the Long Night Moon due to its proximity to the winter solstice (December 21st). January’s full moon, the Wolf Moon, will follow on January 13th, 2025.
This weekend offers a unique opportunity to witness this rare lunar event. Clear skies permitting, observers should be able to enjoy the impressive sight of the Cold Moon at its most northerly position.
First Piper 