As the Moon Rises
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For one magical night, the sky decided to put on a grand performance. The Moon rose bigger, brighter, and more beautiful than usual leaving people across the world stopping mid-scroll and looking up in wonder. This was no ordinary full Moon. It was the final supermoon of 2025, known as the Cold Moon. And it truly lived up to the hype.
In India, the glowing beauty could be seen from Thursday evening, December 4. But the Moon reached its brightest moment early Friday morning at around 4:44 am on December 5.
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Social media quickly filled with stunning pictures; moons framed by buildings, trees, temples, and even quiet balconies. For many it felt like nature’s farewell gift for the year.
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What is a Supermoon?
Not every full Moon earns the title of a supermoon. A supermoon happens when the full Moon comes closest to Earth in its oval-shaped journey around our planet. This nearest point is called perigee.
This time, the Moon was only about 3,57,000 km away, much closer than usual. Because of this short distance, it appeared 10 to 14 per cent bigger and almost 30 per cent brighter than the faintest full Moon of the year. To many eyes, it looked extra sharp, extra shiny, impossible to ignore.
The story behind the ‘cold moon’ name
The December full Moon has been called the Cold Moon for centuries. The name comes from old traditions that link it to the coldest time of the year in many parts of the world. Long before cameras and apps existed, people used the Moon to track seasons, farming cycles and even festivals.
This year’s Cold Moon became even more special because it was also the last supermoon of 2025.
Check the Supermoon pictures here
Look up at the Moon!
The last full moon of 2025 reaches its peak on Thursday, Dec. 4. This month’s full moon is also a supermoon—meaning that it will appear slightly bigger and brighter than usual.
Check out our Daily Moon Guide to learn more: https://t.co/cyRQZGZdAW pic.x.com/MObaeb0dWg
— NASA (@NASA) December 4, 2025
Tonight’s full cold Moon. the last supermoon of the year! pic.x.com/x5q2Fk1uoe
— MOON LOVER (@M1ONLOVER) December 4, 2025
Today’s Super Moon
Guwahati Assam India pic.x.com/EVLU914wLT— Exploring_Unseen_Within (@travellwithamit) December 4, 2025
Tonight’s full Cold Moon (a supermoon), rising over the East River as seen from Manhattan. pic.x.com/qSAFFRBb5D
— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) December 5, 2025
Behold: the final supermoon of 2025, a full Cold Moon rising like a frozen silver coin in the December sky. pic.x.com/5j4yH4OPgG
— Earth (@earthcurated) December 4, 2025
Why 2025 gave us three supermoons
Supermoons often arrive in groups because the Moon’s closest approach to Earth slowly shifts through the year. In 2025, the timing matched perfectly. Three full Moons arrived one after the other while the Moon was near perigee.
This rare alignment gave sky lovers a trio of supermoons, with the Cold Moon closing the year’s lunar celebrations. With the famous Geminid meteor shower also lighting up December skies, space fans truly got a double treat.
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