A supermoon showed its full glory in the night sky last week, drawing millions of spectators. In a larger portion of the northern hemisphere, this month's supermoon is acknowledged as a "Full Cold Moon," named after the intermittent weather during this period.
The "Full Cold Moon" displayed its total fullness at around 10:47 a.m. EST on Dec. 3 and rose Sunday evening at 6 p.m. EST. The supermoon achieved perigee at 3:45 am EST on Dec 4. Its average interval from the Earth was estimated at 238,000 miles, according to AJC.
The moon set at about at 8:17 a.m. on Dec. 4. Even if moon gazers were not able to see the moon at its perigee, the supermoon lingered around for few more days. However, it no longer showed as an entire full moon.
This year has a total of four supermoons, but December is the only month that has a supermoon that is visible to the naked eye.
Supermoon is not an astronomical term, and its scientific name is Perigee Full Moon. An astrologer named Richard Nolle first coined the term "supermoon" in 1979. While a full moon phenomenon refers to the period when the moon is at its most adjacent point in its orbit around the Earth, a supermoon might emerge up to 14 percent closer and 30 percent more luminous compared to a moon on an ordinary night.
Each full moon for every month is nicknamed depending on the event that takes place during that month. According to The Telegraph, ancient Native Americans did not indicate time by adopting the months in a Julian or Gregorian calendar. The tribes rather preferred to name each full moon to observe the seasons and lunar months.
The villagers named the Jan. 11 full moon as the "Wolf Moon" due to the howling from the packs of wolves. Hunger is the main cause of their whining at that time of the year. January's full moon is also known as the "Old Moon."
The "Snow Moon" occurs during Feb. 10 or early 11. It was named as such because February is considered the snowiest month in the United States. It is also called the "Hunger Moon" since it is difficult to hunt in snowy conditions.
Meanwhile, the "Worm Moon" reveals itself in the night sky on March 12. It got its name as earthworm castings start to appear on topsoil as the temperature gets warm and birds start looking for food. It is also called "Sap Moon," "Crow Moon," and "Lenten Moon."
The "Pink Moon" shows itself during the month of April, usually on the 11th. It is not pink in color, but it got its name from pink wildflowers that usually bloom in Canada and in the United States in early spring. This moon is also known as "Egg Moon" or "Fish Moon," and it announces the start of Jewish Passover.
The May full moon is called "Flower Moon," which unveils itself on the 10th as spring starts to arrive, providing different vivid colors from numerous flowers. This moon is also called the "Corn Planting Moon," "Bright Moon," or Milk Moon.
June names it full moon as "Strawberry Moon" mainly because it is the strawberry picking season. It is also known as "Rose Moon," "Hay Moon," or "Hot Moon." This phenomenon usually happens on June 9.
Since thunderstorms occur in July, the month's full moon is named "Thunder Moon." It is also known as "Full Buck Moon" pertaining to the buck's fully-grown antlers. Generally, this moon shows up on July 9.
August full moon is known as "Sturgeon Moon" since North American tribes generally catch sturgeon during this time of the month. It is also known as the "Grain Moon" and can be viewed on Aug. 7.
During September, "Full Corn Moon" graces the sky with its brightness on the 6th. It is also called the "Barley Moon" or "Fruit Moon" in time for autumn.
October is harvest time and "Harvest Moon" is the name given to its first full moon that happens closest to the Autumn equinox that occurred late which is Oct. 5.
The "Frost Moon" takes place on Nov. 4 and is also called the "Beaver Moon."
Lastly, the "Cold Moon" occurs every December. It is also known as the "Moon before Yule" and "Long Nights Moon."
