December’s night sky offers supermoon, meteor showers and Winter Solstice

Photo: Photo by Austin Human

PARK CITY, UT— December 2025 promises an exciting month for stargazers, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which describes this time as fantastic for observing the night sky.

The highlight of the month occurs on December 4, when the full moon achieves 100% illumination at 6:14 p.m. EST. This full moon, known as the Cold Moon, is also a supermoon, marking the third consecutive supermoon of 2025. The name “Cold Moon” comes from the Mohawk people, reflecting the frigid season. The Mohican people refer to it as the Long Night Moon, as it rises during the longest nights of the year near the winter solstice and remains visible for an extended period.

A supermoon happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. Due to this proximity, the moon may appear up to approximately 8% larger in diameter and about 16% brighter than a typical full moon. The Almanac suggests watching the moon just after it rises for the most dramatic view, as it appears larger near the horizon — a phenomenon known as the moon illusion. Additionally, on December 4, the moon will occult the Pleiades star cluster, briefly covering this well-known group of stars, making it a great opportunity for viewers with binoculars or a small telescope.

The Geminid meteor shower, often regarded as the best of the year, will peak overnight on December 13-14. Viewers could see up to 120 meteors per hour streaking across the sky. In 2025, the moon will be a thin crescent and will not interfere much with viewing, making it an excellent year for watching this event. The Almanac notes that Geminids are slower and brighter than many other meteor showers. The optimal viewing time is after 8 p.m., with peak activity occurring around midnight to predawn.

On December 7, Mercury will reach its greatest western elongation, appearing at its highest point above the eastern horizon just before sunrise. This is considered the best time to spot the elusive planet low in the eastern sky.

The December solstice happens on the morning of December 21 at 10:02 a.m. EST, marking the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, which features the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

The new moon will occur on December 19 at 8:43 p.m. EST, creating ideal conditions for observing faint objects like galaxies and star clusters without the interference of moonlight. These darker skies will also benefit the Ursid meteor shower, which peaks overnight on December 21-22, with an expected five to ten meteors per hour, although occasional bursts can be significantly higher.

Throughout December, Venus will be visible in the southwestern sky, shining brightly as a star-like point in the early evening.

For the best stargazing experience, the Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness for 10 to 15 minutes, dressing warmly, and finding a dark area away from city lights for viewing meteor showers.