FP Trending29 Dec 2020 12:35:33 IST
Following the heavenly event of Christmas Star or the Great collaboration of Jupiter and Saturn, skywatchers can get excited for the last celestial event of the year 2020. This will be the last full moon of the year also known as the Cold Moon. It will be the highest full moon in the entire Gregorian year, and it is interesting that the 13th and last lunar event of 2020 is visible on two different days. According to The old farmer’s almanac, the illumination of the full moon is supposed to find on 19 December 19:54 IST and 20:57 IST on 30 December. The Almanac says that people can start seeing the full moon in December just before sunset.
A full moon seen in Washington, USA. Image Credit: Flickr / Rocky Raybell
What makes Cold Moon 2020 special?
The cold moon will have a characteristic high orbit over the sky. As a result, the moon is visible over the horizon for a longer period of time.
It is also called the ‘Long Night Moon’, as the event takes place on one of the longest nights of the year. This is because the date is pretty close to the winter solstice. As it occurs only after Christmas, the full moon is also called the ‘Moon After Yule’ in Europe. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name Cold Moon was derived from some traditions observed by Native Americans. The name refers to the ‘icy conditions of this time of year’.
According to a report by Forbes, the timing at which the moon reaches its highest illumination is behind the globe that sees the cold moon on two different dates. While the Asia-Pacific, Europe and Africa will have a full moon on December 30, South America and North America will have it on a day before on December 29.
After this, the full moon looks like a full moon for the next three days.