This week, nearly everyone in the US will be able to see a celestial display from Mars and the moon that will take place in December.
The final full moon of the year also referred to as the long night moon, will rise on Wednesday night. Due to the conclusion of daylight saving time last month, you will have a little bit more time to enjoy the full moon, which will occur shortly after 11 pm Eastern Time.
Full ‘Cold Moon’ Glows Brightly And Eclipses Mars
Wednesday’s event is particularly exciting for sky watchers since the full moon falls at a time when Mars is in opposition to the Earth and Sun, according to NASA astronomer Michelle Thaller.
The final time that humans set foot on the moon was during NASA’s Apollo 17 mission, which will be commemorated on December 7 after 50 years. Therefore, this year’s cold moon gives spectators the chance to simultaneously take in a lunar spectacle and think back on the incredible space exploration that humanity has accomplished.
Dr. Noah Petro, head of NASA’s planetary geology, geophysics, and geochemistry lab, stated that when people look up at the moon, they should recognize that it is not just beautiful but also a very significant scientific item.
Read more: Construction of the World’s Largest Radio Observatory on Earth’s History Begins
Where Will It Be Visible?
According to the Western Washington Planetarium website, the Mohawk people called the full moon in December tsothohrha, or the season of cold, because of the regularly present frigid conditions. The Mohawks gave names to each full moon to keep track of the months, like many other Native American tribes.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that the Mohicans referred to this full moon as the long night moon because of its proximity to the winter solstice, which this year falls on December 21. In Europe, this full moon has also been referred to as the moon before Yule to honor the Yuletide holiday.
The weather on Wednesday night will be largely cloudy in New York City, partly cloudy in Los Angeles, and clear in Chicago. The orientation of the full moon will be turned as usual for those in the Southern Hemisphere, but they will still be able to see it at night.
