Last full moon of the year to rise on Saturday
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the moon’s nickname originated from Native Americans.
PENZANCE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Clouds clear to allow a view of the final full moon of the year, a so-called 'Cold Moon', as it appears behind Christmas lights decorating Penzance main street on December 13, 2016 in Cornwall, England. The last full moon of the year was also the final supermoon of 2016. The natural phenomenon occurs when the perigee (closest approach by the Moon to Earth) coincides with it being full (completely illuminated by the Sun).
(Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
If skies are clear Saturday evening, Christmas lights will not be the only objects lighting up the night’s sky, the "Cold Moon" is set to be a sky gazer’s delight.
The last full moon of 2021 is set to rise during the late afternoon hours and peak at around 11:36 p.m. EST.
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Because of the moon’s orbit around Earth, sky gazers will be treated to the longest full moon of the year.
The moon’s window for visibility will differ depending on one’s location, but NASA says for a city like Washington, D.C., the "Cold Moon" will be in the sky for 15 hours 33 minutes.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the "Cold Moon" nickname originated from Native Americans, who used it to signify winter’s arrival.
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Visibility on Saturday evening could be restricted for many areas courtesy of storm systems impacting the country from coast-to-coast, with everything from heavy cloud cover to rain and even snow.
If you don’t get a good view of the moon during the first half of the weekend, astronomers say the natural satellite will appear full for several days.