Supermoons occur three to four times a year, depending on how closely the full moon aligns with perigee.
The first supermoon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon, rises in Karachi, Pakistan, on October 7, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced that the last supermoon of 2025, known as the Cold Moon, will be visible across Pakistan between the nights of December 4 and 5. A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, known as perigee, in its elliptical orbit. This proximity makes the moon appear slightly larger and brighter than a normal full moon.
The December Cold Moon is the third and final supermoon of 2025. It will reach maximum illumination of approximately 99.8% at 04:15 PST on December 5. In Pakistan, the nearly full moon (99.2% illuminated) will rise at 16:58 PST on December 4, allowing skywatchers to enjoy the spectacle all night long.
Although slightly less “super” than the November event, this supermoon is still noteworthy. On November 5, the Earth-Moon distance was 356,978 km, while on the night of December 4-5 it will be 357,218 km, making the December full moon appear about 7.9% larger and 15% brighter than an average full moon.
Supermoons typically occur three to four times a year, depending on how closely the full moon aligns with perigee. While the difference is subtle to the naked eye, exceptionally close alignments (which produce the largest and brightest supermoons) are rare and scientifically significant.
SUPARCO has encouraged the public, astronomy fans, students and families to observe this natural phenomenon. No special equipment is needed and the supermoon will be clearly visible to the naked eye, as long as the sky is clear.
