The Full Moon peaked in the wee morning hours today (December 12) while it was on its way towards the horizon. Astronomers estimate the Moon peaked in brightness around 5.12am GMT but the good news is it will reappear later today. The so-called Cold Moon is the last of this year’s full lunar phases and marks the nearing end of 2019.
What time will the Cold Moon reappear tonight?
The Full Moon may have disappeared early in the morning but its glowing face will shine throughout the night.
When viewed from London, the Cold Moon will creep over the northeast horizon around 4.16pm GMT.
Up north in Manchester, the Cold Moon will rise around 4.14pm GMT.
Further up north in Glasgow, stargazers will get to enjoy the Full Moon from about 4.08pm GMT.
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What is the meaning behind the Cold Moon’s name?
Tonight’s Full Moon goes by many names, including the Long Night Moon or the Moon before Yule.
Colonial Europeans who adopted lunar names from Native American names call December’s Full Moon the Cold Moon because of the rapidly approaching winter.
In some European traditions, this Moon is also known as the Oak Moon and has ties to the ancient druids and their practices.
The Farmers’ Almanac said: “As the Winter Solstice approaches the chill in the air deepens and the frosty grip of winter begins to tighten.
“Days grow ever shorter and the nights are at their longest and darkest.
“It is, therefore, no wonder that December’s Full Moon is known as both the Cold Moon and the Long Night’s Moon.
December’s Full Moon is known as both the Cold Moon and the Long Night’s Moon
Farmers’ Almanac
“The name Long Night’s Moon is doubly appropriate, not only because December nights are indeed long, but also because the midwinter Full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky, causing it to sit above the horizon for a longer period of time.
“December Full Moon is also sometimes called the Moon Before Yule, in honour of the ancient European festival celebrating the return of the Sun heralded by the year’s longest night.
The Winter Solstice this year will peak on Sunday, December 22.
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When is the next Full Moon after the Cold Moon?
The next lunar phase will peak on January 10, 2020, when the so-called Wolf Moon lights up the night.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Wolf Moon owes its name to Colonial Americans and Native American tribes on the US east coast.
The almanac said: “The Full Moon for January was called the Full Wolf Moon because wolves were more often heard at this time.
“There is no evidence they were howling for hunger though wolves do tend to howl more often during winter months.”
The almanac added: “Native Americans usually respect, not fear, wolves.”
Here is a list of all the upcoming Full Moons in the new year:
January 10 – Full Woolf Moon
February 9 – Full Snow Moon
March 9 – Full Worm Moon
April 8 – Full Pink Moon
May 7 – Full Flower Moon
June 5 – Full Strawberry Moon
July 5 – Full Buck Moon
August 3 – Full Sturgeon Moon
September 2 – Full Corn Moon
October 1 – Full Hunter’s Moon
November 30 – Full Beaver’s Moon
December 30 – Full Cold Moon
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