The third and final supermoon of 2025, known as the Cold Moon, captivated skywatchers worldwide on December 5 as it marked the onset of winter's longest nights in the Northern Hemisphere. This celestial spectacle concluded 2025's trilogy of supermoons, following events in November and October.
Wen Kou, a senior engineer at the Beijing Planetarium, clarified that supermoons occur when a full moon aligns with lunar perigee – the moon's closest orbital point to Earth. "When this cosmic timing coincides, our celestial neighbor appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than typical full moons," Kou explained.
This December's supermoon reached peak illumination at 7:14 a.m. Beijing Time, just 12 hours after reaching its closest Earth approach. While slightly smaller than November 5's record-setting supermoon, the visual difference remained imperceptible to most observers without specialized equipment.
Astronomers emphasize that supermoons offer unique opportunities for lunar observation and photography. The phenomenon holds particular cultural significance across Asia, where lunar cycles traditionally influence agricultural calendars and festival planning.
As night fell on December 5, social media platforms flooded with images of the glowing orb framed by iconic Asian landmarks – from Tokyo's Skytree to the Great Wall of China. This celestial event provided a unifying moment for astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike, bridging cultures through shared wonder at cosmic rhythms.
