A snow scene in the Carpathian Mountains, a series of winter landscapes.
getty
Are you ready for the last full Moon of 2020? After an amazing “Christmas Star” or “good connection” of planets just before Christmas, a full solar eclipse, a “Blue Moon” on Halloween and a bright and rare NEOWISE Comet in the summer, 2020 will end with bright bright orange. . the moon rises as the “Cold Moon” makes a special display for the Christmas moons.
What is so special about a full Moon?
Every 29 nights a full moon rises around sunset, shining brilliantly all night, and then orbiting the sunrise the next morning. The full moon in December is usually called the “Cold Moon” in the northern hemisphere for obvious reasons, although it depends on the date on which it falls.
Here’s all you need to know when, where and how to see the “Cold Moon” at its best this week.
When is the Full ‘Cold Moon?’
The Moon will be 100% illuminated by the Sun at 03:29 Universal Time (also GMT) on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, which translates to 10:29 pm EST and 7:29 pm PST. previous day on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in North America.
However, that is No when to look for the “Cold Moon. ”Although it may be similar, you would be much better off having a moon near the sunset. Why?
Full Moon rising on December 22, 2018, the day after the winter solstice, in a completely clear manner … [+]
Group VWPics / Universal Images via Getty Images
When is the Best Time for the Full ‘Cold Moon?’
Full Moons are easier to see at their best at the rising of the moon, which occurs in the twilight of the east almost opposite the sunny position in the west. The trick is to find the closest time to the game to see a full Moon rising in the middle of the gathering evening.
This is the only time a full moon is seen rising in a lit landscape, be it urban or rural. However, there is another reason to watch the moon rise rather than a full moon when it is high in the night sky – and that is its beautiful orange color.
When is the Best Time to See the Full ‘Cold Moon’ from North America?
The prime time is about 15 minutes after the official moonrise time where you are. For North Americans, the best time to watch the full “Cold Moon” will be Tuesday, December 29, 2020. For example, on that day the Moon will rise in New York City at 4:13 pm EST while the sun sets it at 4.37 pm EST.
The next day, on Wednesday 30 December, 3030, there is a simultaneous sunset of 4.37 pm EST, with the Moon rising at 5.08 pm EST. So the Moon rises just past-full in a darker sky – but it might still be worth a look.
It is a similar case in Los Angeles, where the lunar peak times are at 4.38pm PST on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 and 5.33 pm PST on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Just remember that you will not see Mon appearing on the eastern horizon until about 215-20 minutes after the rising times of this moon. Patience is everything and for sure please appear – if the skies are clear.
Full Moon Rising on March 31, 2018 in Alberta, Canada (Photo by: VW Pics / Universal Images Group … [+]
Universal Images Group via Getty Images
When is the best time to see the full ‘Cold Moon’ from Europe?
For Europeans, Wednesday 30 December 2020 is the best time to watch the full “Cold Moon”. For example, in London the moon rises at 4:10 pm GMT, which is 10 minutes after sunset. So 4:30 pm GMT will be a great time to look to the eastern horizon.
Why is the full moon rising orange?
As the Moon rises the sunlight seen by the observer can be seen coming through much of the Earth’s atmosphere. Light has shorter waves towards the blue end of the spectrum and is therefore scattered on particles in the Earth’s atmosphere while light has longer waves towards the red end of the spectrum and thus travels through to your eyes easier. The result is that a rising moon looks bright orange, turns pale yellow as it rises, and finally to a bright, white orb that is almost too bright to look at.
So check your moments, get out at the right time and enjoy the 13th and last full Moon of 2020.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes