As the chill of December settles in and the days grow shorter, the night sky gifts us with one of its most poetic spectacles: the Cold Moon. Tonight, on December 4, 2025, the full Moon reaches its peak illumination at 14:48 UTC, casting a silvery glow that feels both comforting and haunting against the frosty backdrop of winter. Known also as the Frost Moon or Winter Moon, this celestial event isn't just a pretty sight—it's a timeless marker of seasonal transition, steeped in history and wonder. If you're bundling up for an evening stargaze, here's everything you need to know about tonight's Cold Moon and why it's worth braving the cold for.

What Is the Cold Moon?

The term "Cold Moon" harks back to ancient traditions of naming full Moons after the rhythms of nature. As the 13th (or sometimes 12th, depending on the calendar) full Moon of the year, it signals the grip of winter's onset—the darkest, coldest months when frost blankets the ground and winds howl through bare trees. Unlike scientific labels, these nicknames, popularized by Native American tribes, colonial settlers, and early European farmers, tie lunar cycles to earthly changes. The Cold Moon doesn't alter the Moon's physical appearance; it's the same silvery orb we've admired for millennia. But in December's embrace, it feels profoundly different—brighter, bolder, and a beacon in the long nights.

Fun fact: This isn't just any full Moon. In 2025, it's the final supermoon of the year, meaning our satellite is at perigee (its closest point to Earth), appearing about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full Moon. At around 356,500 kilometers away tonight, it's a cosmic close-up you won't want to miss.

A Glimpse into History and Cultural Lore

Long before streetlights and screens lit our nights, the Cold Moon was a lifeline. Imagine indigenous communities or early settlers navigating frozen landscapes under its glow—hunting, gathering, or simply finding solace in the darkness. The bright light pierced the winter gloom, offering safe passage after sunset and a sense of continuity amid the hardship.

While specific myths around the Cold Moon are sparse compared to, say, the Harvest Moon's bountiful tales, it embodies winter's dual spirit: harsh yet hopeful. In some folklore, it's a time for reflection, with the Moon's cold light inviting introspection as the year wanes. Closer to the solstice, it whispers of renewal—the promise of longer days post-December 21. And let's not forget its festive tie-in: rising just weeks before Christmas, the Cold Moon has inspired countless yuletide stories of snowy nights and midnight magic.

Tonight's Sky:> What to Look For on December 4 Step outside after sunset (around 4:30 PM local time in most of the US, depending on your timezone), and head east-northeast. The Cold Moon will climb steadily, starting low on the horizon where it often plays tricks on the eye. Ever notice how the rising Moon looks enormous? That's the "Moon illusion"—a psychological quirk making it seem three times bigger against earthly landmarks like trees or buildings. As it ascends, it may take on an orange or rusty hue from atmospheric scattering, evoking a harvest orb misplaced in winter.

But the real magic unfolds in the surrounding sky. Tonight's Cold Moon forms a striking celestial triangle with the sparkling Pleiades star cluster (the "Seven Sisters") and the fiery orange star Aldebaran in Taurus. High above, Jupiter shines like a steady lantern, while the mighty Orion the Hunter strides into view, belt and sword at the ready. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, this lineup turns the eastern sky into a winter wonderland—perfect for myth-makers who saw Orion as a eternal chase across the stars.One caveat: The Moon's brilliance can wash out fainter deep-sky gems like galaxies or meteor trails. If you're chasing the Geminid meteor shower (peaking December 13-14), save that for later nights. For now, let the Cold Moon steal the show.

December Full Moon Names From Native American Tribes Kaitvitjuitk (Inuit). Cold Moon (Celtic). Night Moon (Taos). Respect Moon (Hopi). Bitter Moon (Chinese). Peach Moon (Choctaw). Twelfth Moon (Dakotah). Big Winter Moon (Creek) Real Goose Moon (Kiowa). Cold Time Moon (Mohawk). Ashes Fire Moon (San Juan). Oak Moon (Medieval English). Big Bear’s Moon (Winnebago). Long Night Moon (Neo-Pagan). Popping Trees Moon (Arapaho). Running Wolves Moon (Cheyenne). Frost Fish Moon (Passamaquoddy). Cold Moon, Long Nights Moon (Algonquin). Snow Moon, Before Yule Moon (Cherokee). Oak Moon : Full, : Snow Moon Dark (Janic). Popping Tress Moon, Deer Horn Shedding Moon (Sioux).

Other moon names : Wolf Moon, Turning Moon, Heavy Snow Moon, Aerra Geola, Under Burn Moon, Big Winter Moon, Winter Maker Moon, Yellow Leaves Moon, Little Finger Moon, Mid-Winter Moon, Wintermonat, Small Spirits Moon.

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In a world that often feels like it's speeding by too fast, the passing of Gramma the Galápagos tortoise serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring wonders of nature. At an astonishing 141 years old, Gramma—affectionately dubbed the "Queen of the San Diego Zoo"—has left us, her shell a testament to resilience, her slow shuffle a symbol of quiet majesty. Her death marks the end of an era, but her legacy will echo through the sun-dappled enclosures of the zoo and far beyond.

A Life Spanning Centuries

Born around 1884, Gramma hatched into a world where Queen Victoria still reigned in Britain, the Eiffel Tower was a mere gleam in Gustave Eiffel's eye, and the automobile was little more than a mad inventor's dream. She was a giant among Galápagos tortoises (Chelonopus niger), a species native to the remote volcanic islands that inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. These gentle giants can live well over a century, but Gramma pushed the boundaries of longevity, outliving wars, pandemics, and countless technological revolutions.

Gramma arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1928, a gift from a collector who had acquired her in Ecuador. For nearly a century, she roamed the zoo's expansive habitats, her wrinkled neck stretching skyward like an ancient periscope surveying her domain. Weighing in at over 100 pounds and measuring nearly four feet long, she was a living relic, her domed shell etched with the stories of time itself.

The Queen of the Zoo

What made Gramma truly regal wasn't just her age—it was her presence. Visitors to the San Diego Zoo often sought her out, drawn to the spectacle of this ponderous matriarch ambling through her leafy enclosure. Zookeepers recall her with a mix of awe and fondness: she was picky about her salads (favoring hibiscus leaves over anything else), notoriously slow to warm up to new companions, and possessed of a stubborn streak that could rival any toddler's tantrum. Yet, she embodied the unhurried wisdom of her kind, pausing to munch on dandelions while the world buzzed around her.

"Gramma wasn't just a tortoise; she was a cornerstone of our collection," said zoo curator of reptiles, Dr. Elena Vasquez, in a statement released today. "She greeted generations of families, teaching us all about patience and the beauty of the natural world. At 141, she lived a full life, and her passing is a heavy heart for everyone here."

Over the decades, Gramma became an icon. She starred in countless educational programs, her image gracing zoo brochures and documentaries. Children pressed their faces to the glass, whispering secrets to her as if she were a wise grandmother (a fitting nickname, indeed). And in her later years, as arthritis slowed her steps, the zoo's veterinary team provided tender care, including custom ramps and a heated basking spot to mimic the sun-soaked rocks of her ancestral islands.

A Legacy of Conservation and Wonder

Gramma's life wasn't without its shadows. The Galápagos tortoise population has dwindled dramatically due to habitat loss, invasive species, and historical overexploitation—factors that nearly drove her subspecies to extinction. Yet, through the San Diego Zoo's efforts, Gramma became a beacon for conservation. The zoo's breeding programs have successfully hatched hundreds of her kin, bolstering wild populations and restoring hope to the archipelago. She was more than a resident; she was an ambassador, reminding us why we fight to protect the fragile threads of biodiversity.

In her final days, Gramma passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by the familiar scents of alfalfa and the gentle hum of the zoo she called home. Tributes are already pouring in from around the globe—social media alight with photos of her majestic form, and visitors leaving flowers at her enclosure gate.

As we bid adieu to this extraordinary creature, let's take a page from Gramma's book: slow down, savor the simple joys, and carry forward the lessons of endurance. The Queen may have left her throne, but her spirit endures—in the rustle of tortoise shells yet to hatch, in the stories we'll tell our grandchildren, and in the timeless rhythm of the natural world.

Rest easy, Gramma. You've earned your eternal nap.

If you're in San Diego, the zoo is hosting a memorial viewing this weekend. For more on Galápagos conservation, visit the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's website.

Sources: San Diego Zoo press release and historical archives. This post is dedicated to all the unsung heroes of the animal kingdom.

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This week brings the largest supermoon of the year. Supermoons occur because the moon’s orbit is not perfectly circular around the Earth. Instead, it is an ellipse, meaning that sometimes the moon will be closer to the Earth than at other times.

When a full moon coincides with the moon being within 10% of its closest point to Earth, we call it a supermoon. Its proximity makes it appear subtly bigger and brighter than other full moons.

On 5 November 2025, the moon will be just under 357,000km from Earth, making it the nearest full moon of the year, and therefore the largest supermoon. It will appear 8% larger and about 16% brighter than average.

Why “Beaver” and Why So Super?Native American and colonial traditions dubbed November’s full moon the Beaver Moon because this is when beavers finish stocking their lodges for winter—or when trappers set their traps before rivers froze. Other indigenous names include Frost Moon, Freezing Moon, or Whitefish Moon. This year, it’s also the second in a trio of consecutive supermoons (October’s Harvest, November’s Beaver, December’s Cold).

A supermoon happens when a full moon coincides with perigee—the moon’s closest orbital point to Earth. On November 5, perigee falls just hours after peak fullness at 13:19 UTC (8:19 a.m. EST / 1:19 p.m. GMT), creating the tightest alignment of 2025. The last time we saw a full moon this close? February 2019.

When & Where to LookThe moon technically peaks in daylight for most of the Americas and Europe, so sunset on Wednesday, November 5 is prime time. Look east as twilight deepens—the moon will rise golden-orange and enormous against the horizon.

Step outside tonight, tilt your chin, and let 4.5 billion years of lunar clockwork wash over you. No telescope, no app, no filter needed—just you and the biggest, brightest Beaver Moon of our lifetime.Clear skies, friends.

Native American Names for November Full Moon Itartoryuk Moon (Inuit). Tree Moon (Neo-Pagan). Poverty Moon (Mohawk). Trading Moon (Cherokee). Geese Going Moon (Kiowa). Falling Leaves moon (Sioux). Fledgling Raptor Moon (Hopi). Deer Ruting Moon (Cheyenne). Freezing River Moon(Arapaho). Snow Moon (Mediaeval English). Mourning Moon : Full, Dead : Dark (Janic). Corn Harvest Moon (Taos Native American). Snowy Morning Mountains Moon (Wishram). All Gathered Moon (San Juan Native American). Beaver Moon, Frosty Moon (Algonquin Native American/Colonia).

Other moon names : Fog Moon, Deer Antler Shedding moon, Oak moon, Mad moon, Storm moon, Dark moon.

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The first supermoon of 2025 will appear in our skies on Tuesday night kicking off a series of lunar events.

The full Harvest Moon rises in the UK at around 18:20 GMT on 7 October and will mark the start of a run of three consecutive supermoons in the final three months of 2025.

It will be the largest and brightest full Moon of the year so far and the first supermoon since November 2024.

If you want to catch a glimpse keep an eye on the forecast though as cloud may obscure the view in some places. What makes a full Moon a supermoon?

The Moon's orbit around the Earth is not circular but elliptical, meaning that the distance between the two varies throughout the year.

If the Moon is full at its closest point to Earth - called the perigee - or within 90% of its closest point, it can be referred to as a 'supermoon'.

The term was first coined in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle to describe full Moons that appear noticeably larger and brighter as they coincide with the perigee.

They can seem to be up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons, external.

Different parts of the astronomical community chose to define supermoons in slightly varying ways. An alternative definition is any full Moon within 360,000km of the centre of the Earth - and under this interpretation October's Harvest Moon would not qualify. What is a Harvest Moon?

Full Moons throughout the year are given names, often dating back centuries, that reflect what is happening in nature.

October's full Moon is known as the Hunter's Moon but it is also this year's Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full Moon that rises closest to the autumn equinox, traditionally a time for gathering crops. It also rises around sunset for several evenings in succession creating extra light for farmers working outside.

The equinox this year was on 22 September, and often the Harvest Moon occurs in the same month. In fact it's on 7 October and is the latest since 1987.

The Harvest Moon is perhaps the most well-known one of the year, thanks in part to the 1992 hit song 'Harvest Moon' by Neil Young.

Whilst this will be the brightest and largest full Moon of 2025 so far, you won't have to wait long until the next one, as we will see two more supermoons this year, on 5 November and 4 December.

Have you ever noticed that the Moon appears to be bigger when it is close to the horizon than when it is high in the sky? It doesn't actually change size as it rises higher, but our eyes perceive this differently.

Scientists do not fully understand why we interpret it this way, but one theory is that when we see the it in relation to other object such as trees, buildings or hills, it tricks our brains into thinking it is bigger than it really is.

The Moon does often look more reddish-orange nearer the horizon and this isn't a illusion. It's because the Sun's light travels through a longer portion of the Earth's atmosphere when the Moon is low in the sky.

The atmosphere scatters away more short-wave blue light, leaving the longer-wave reddish hues to project upon the Moon.

October Full Moon Names from different cultures Tugluvik (Inuit). Kentenha (Mohawk). Long Hair Moon (Hopi) Ten Colds Moon (Kiowa). Falling Leaves Moon (Arapaho). Corn Ripe Moon (Taos Native American). Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon (Neo-Pagan). Leaf Fall Moon (San Juan Native American). Blood Moon, Wine Moon (Mediaeval English). Blood Moon Falling :Full, Leaf Moon :Dark (Janic). Hunter's Moon, Travel Moon, Full Dying Grass Moon (Algonquin Native American/Colonia).

Other Moon names: Spirit Moon, Snow Moon, Shedding Moon, Winterfelleth (Winter Coming), Windermanoth (Vintage Month), Falling Leaf Moon, Moon of the Changing Season, White Frost moon

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On September 7, 2025, the night sky will dazzle us with an extraordinary event: the Full Harvest Moon, also called the Corn Moon, which will also be a supermoon and a total lunar eclipse—a rare “super blood moon.” This cosmic trifecta, occurring at the peak of the harvest season, is a moment of awe and wonder.

Known for its golden glow and cultural significance, the Harvest Moon will take on an even more dramatic hue as it transforms into a striking red during the eclipse. Here’s everything you need to know about this celestial event and how to celebrate it.

What Makes the September 7, 2025, Harvest Moon So Special? The Harvest Moon, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22, 2025), is named for its historical role in illuminating late-night harvests, allowing farmers to gather crops like corn, pumpkins, and wheat before winter. Also called the Corn Moon in Native American traditions, it celebrates the ripening of corn, a vital staple crop. In 2025, this moon is extra special for three reasons:

1- Supermoon Magic: This Harvest Moon is a supermoon, meaning the moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee), appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. Its low position on the horizon will enhance the “moon illusion,” making it look even more massive and radiant.

2- Total Lunar Eclipse: On September 7, 2025, the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse. During totality, the moon will take on a deep red hue, earning the nickname “blood moon” due to sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere. According to CNET, this eclipse will be visible across parts of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, with peak totality around
Why We Call It the Harvest Moon or Corn Moon The Harvest Moon name reflects its role in agricultural history, when farmers relied on its bright light to work late into the night. The Corn Moon name, rooted in Native American traditions, honors the corn harvest, a time of gratitude for the land’s abundance. This moon has many names across cultures—like the “Chrysanthemum Moon” in Chinese tradition or the “Barley Moon” in European folklore—each reflecting local harvests and seasonal shifts.

Fun Facts About the September 7, 2025, Harvest Moon

A Rare Triple Event: The combination of a supermoon, total lunar eclipse, and Harvest Moon is a rare occurrence, making this a must-see event for skywatchers.

Global Viewing: Per CNET, the eclipse will be visible in parts of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, weather permitting. Check local times to catch the partial and total phases.

Cultural Resonance: The Corn Moon ties to Native American traditions, while the blood moon has inspired myths of transformation and renewal across cultures.

Learn Native American Names: Soaproot (Pomo). Corn Moon (Pueblo). Harvest moon (Hopi). Singing Moon (Celtic). Leaf fall Moon (Kiowa). Ripe Moon (San Juan). Maize Moon (Natchez). Acorns Moon (Wishram). Rice Moon (Anishnaabe). Hay Cutting Moon (Yuchi). Mulberry Moon (Choctaw). Deer Paw Moon (Omaha). Snow Goose Moon (Cree). Freshness Moon (Mohawk). Harvest Moon (Neo-Pagan). Harvest (Colonial American). Little Chestnut Moon (Creek). Corn Maker Moon (Abernaki). Drying Grass Moon (Arapaho). Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine). Drying Grass Moon (Cheyenne). Autumn Moon (Passamaquoddy). Barley Moon (Mediaeval English). Calves Hair Growth Moon (Dakota). Yellow Leaf Moon(Taos Native American). Nut Moon, Black Butterfly Moon (Cherokee). Drying Grass Moon, Black Calve Moon, fScarlet Plum Moon (Sioux). Harvest Moon, Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Fruit Moon, Dying Grass Moon (Algonquin).

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