Cold Moon 2017: When to see the first and last supermoon of the year | The Weather Channel

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Cold Moon 2017: When to see the first and last supermoon of the year

After months of numerous celestial delights, from the dazzling Perseids meteor shower to multiple full moons, the last astronomical event of 2017 is set to end the year with a bang. 

Stargazers will be in for yet another treat tomorrow as this year's final lunar display will be a spectacular supermoon.

Known as the Cold Moon, this stellar display will grace the night's sky during the beginning of December.

When is December's Cold Moon?

This year's Cold Moon falls on December 3 and will be at its brightest at 4.47pm

Of all the 12 full moons this year, December's full moon is the only one that comes close enough to Earth (222,443 miles) to maintain supermoon status.

When the moon ascends to the centre of the sky, it will be radiating a brilliant white.

Brits will be able to see the Cold Moon without any high-tech cameras or telescopes, though these will still of course enhance the view.  

Be sure to keep an eye on our website nearer the time to find out whether clear skies will help you to see it.

Ready to see the spectacular #supermoon tomorrow? Click the link below to see what the #weather will be like in your area: http://wxch.nl/2AkWsSH 

— Weather Channel UK (@weather_UK) 6:41 PM - Dec 2, 2017

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon reaching perigee, which is the point of the orbit where the moon is closest to Earth.

The point farthest from Earth is known as apogee.

There are only three supermoons this year – January, November and December - however the closest supermoon is in December.

MORE: Winter 2017: Today is the first day of the new season - or is it?

Dr. David Reynolds, senior meteorologist of The Weather Channel, said: "It will be the first and last supermoon of the year, the Moon making closest approach (perigee) at 08.45 GMT on Monday morning when it will be 222,135 miles (357,492 kilometers) away from Earth.

"Supermoon is not an official astronomical term - indeed, it was first used by an astrologer (as in star signs - not stars) Richard Nolle in 1979. There are no official definitions of a supermoon, so what one source considers to be a supermoon may not be considered by another source.

This year's Cold Moon falls on December 3 and will be at its brightest at 4.47pm (Ajithkumar / Flickr Creative Commons)

"However typically the term is used when a full moon (or new moon) coincides with the closest approach to Earth (because the Moon's orbit is not perfectly circular).

"The Moon will look 12-14 per cent larger than the micromoon, when the Moon is furthest away (apogee).

"The Moon will look even larger when it is near the horizon, due to the magnifying effect of the atmosphere."

The full moon occurs slightly earlier this year, at 3.46pm on Sunday.

What is a full moon?

Full moons occur when the Earth is directly in line between the moon and the sun. 

Appearing every 29 and a half days, they take place when the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun's rays.

Each month's full moon possesses its very own special name.

Full moons occur when the Earth is directly in line between the moon and the sun (elaine1150 / Flickr Creative Commons)

Why is it called a Cold Moon?

The name fittingly relates to the chilly weather of December, as this would be the time when winter would typically tighten its grip, bringing shorter days and longer nights.

And with Christmas just a few weeks away, it's also often referred to as Moon before Yule or Long Nights Moon.

MORE: Daylight disappearing as winter draws closer

Why do full moons have names?

Full moons are associated with Native American tribes that would give a unique name to each one that would occur every month.

This would then allow them to keep track of the seasons and all the months in the year by following the lunar calendar, which is still used today.

Most of the names are linked to an activity or an event that took place at the time. However, it wasn't a uniform system.

Full moons are associated with Native American tribes (Ronnie Robertson / Flickr Creative Commons)

What can Brits expect next?

January's full moon will be known as the Wolf Moon.

Otherwise known as Old Moon, this spectacle will be at its brightest at 3.24am on January 2.

The moniker refers to the sound of wolves howling with hunger in America around this time of year.

Other full moons so far this year have also had unique names, such as: Worm Moon, Flower Moon, Pink Moon and Strawberry Moon.

This month's full moon was known as the Frost Moon. 

Otherwise known as the Beaver Moon, November's full moon is believed to have guided farmers for many years as it would signal when they should begin preparing for winter.

More about the moon:

• The moon is not circular, but is egg-shaped with on end pointed in the direction of Earth.
• The Moon rotates in sync with Earth, meaning the same side is always facing the Earth.
• Similarly to earthquakes, the moon has 'moonquakes' that are caused by the gravitational pull of Earth.
• It would take as long as 135 days to drive to the moon by car at 70 mph - or nine years by foot.
• The moon formed between 30-50 million years after the solar system, and is now 4.6 billion years old.
• Scientists believe the moon has a molten core like Earth. 
• It is about the same size as Pluto.

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