The last full moon of 2024 will rise as far north as ever before – a phenomenon that occurs every 18.6 years and is called a ‘great lunar standstill’.
December’s full moon, also known as the cold moon, will peak around 4 a.m. EST on Sunday, but will appear full on both Saturday and Monday evenings.
It will shine alongside the Geminids meteor shower, which peaks December 13 to 14.
Because the Cold Moon is the full moon closest to the winter solstice – the longest night of the year for the Northern Hemisphere – it takes the highest path across the top of the sky, so it is visible longer than other full moons.
What is a major lunar standstill?
During a major lunar standstill, which occurs every 18.6 years, the moon rises and sets at its northernmost and southernmost positions on the horizon. According to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, the full moon will reach its northernmost point in the sky on December 15.
It happens, says Space.com, because the moon doesn’t follow the same path as the sun. “The rising and setting positions on the horizon are constantly changing due to the movements of the Earth and moon,” Space.com reported.
Stonehenge, the ancient monument in England, is said to have been designed with the great lunar standstill in mind. The alignment of the stones corresponds to the direction of the southernmost moonrise.
A person watches the full moon known as the “Super Pink Moon” set behind the stone circle of Stonehenge near Amesbury, Britain, on April 27, 2021.
Lunar halo: The ring around the moon
In California, online chatting included the question: “What’s going on with the ring around the moon?”
Some speculated that the ring may have been a “gateway to heaven,” a “coming judgment,” or was caused by “chemtrail residue” sprayed across Southern California.
Some claim that the moon ring is a sign of bad weather or a warning of an impending earthquake.
The folks at Space.com explained that the moon’s “halo” is an optical illusion that causes a large bright ring to surround the moon.
The halo, or circle, is created when light is refracted, reflected and scattered by ice crystals suspended in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds at altitudes of 20,000 feet and higher, according to Space.com.
Lunar halos can occur year-round, but are slightly more noticeable during the colder months in the Northern Hemisphere, when more ice crystals can form at high altitudes, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
Some legends say that a moon halo warns that bad weather is coming soon. While it may not always be true, meteorologists have documented that high cirrus clouds that help form lunar halos often come ahead of storm systems, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
Why is December’s full moon called the cold moon?
The term cold moon comes from the Mohawk tribe who named it because of the frigid conditions encountered during it. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon was also called the “long night moon” by the Mohicans.
Geminids also reach peak activity: when, how to watch
The moon show comes as the Geminids, one of the most anticipated meteor showers of 2024, is about to be at its best and most active.
Although bright shooting stars can regularly fill the sky, the Geminids meteor shower is considered the cream of the crop among astronomers and avid stargazers. Now the cosmic spectacle – famous for its strong, bright and consistent fireballs – reaches its peak activity for the year on Thursday and Friday.
When the Geminids are most active, stargazers have the opportunity to witness a staggering 120 meteors per hour under the right weather conditions.
Here’s what you need to know about the Geminids meteor shower, including when it peaks and what causes it.
Although the Geminids are active through December 21, the best time to see them is Thursday and Friday, according to the American Meteor Society.
The days before and after peak activity can also be good for spectators to look for the meteors, although a nearly full moon can compete with the bright fireballs, according to Earth Sky.
Because the Geminids are active much earlier in the night than most meteor showers, this is a good opportunity for young stargazers to catch a glimpse of shooting stars without staying up way past their bedtime. Although the shower is best viewed at night and before sunrise, activity usually begins around 9 or 10 p.m., according to NASA.
Here are some general viewing tips from the space agency:
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Find an area away from street lights and the light pollution of cities.
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Prepare for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket or garden chair.
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Lie flat on your back with your feet facing south and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
It takes less than 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust so you can see streaking meteors.
CONTRIBUTIONS Doyle Rice
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cold moon rising: What makes the last full moon of 2024 a lunar rarity
