December‘s โFinal Supermoon to Light Up Night Skies
Skywatchers will have one last chance this year to witness a breathtaking celestial event: a supermoon will be visible in December. This โfinal supermoon of 2025 offers a brighter, larger view โฃof Earth’s natural satellite, a phenomenonโฃ resulting from the moon’sโข elliptical orbit bringing itโ closer toโฃ our planet.
Supermoons occur when โขa full moon coincides with the moon’s closestโ approach to Earth, making it appearโ up โขto 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the โfaintest full moon of the year, according to NASA. โThis December’s event concludes a series โคof three consecutiveโ supermoons in 2025. While subtle, the increased luminosityโ andโค size โprovide a captivating sight for observers, and understanding the conditionsโ for viewing can enhance the experience.
The supermoon isโ easily visible toโ the naked eye in clear night skies, requiring no special equipmentโค for observation. However, discerning the difference in size and brightness can be challenging. Astronomer William Alston with theโ University of Hertfordshire notes that the “moon illusion” – the tendency for โthe moon to appear larger when โขnear the horizon โ-โฃ will be “slightly more striking” during this supermoon.
Beyond visual appeal, the โฃcloser โproximity of the moon during a supermoon โฃdoes โคcause slightly higher tides, thoughโ the difference is generally not very noticeable. The event provides a unique opportunity for bothโฃ seasoned astronomers and casual observers to connect with the wonders of the night sky.
