December Night Sky

 

DNR.WI.Gov

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave a luster of midday to objects below.  When what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer.

-- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Clement Clarke Moore          

 

If you have clear skies this evening you won’t want to miss it - the last full moon of this year is tonight.  According to the Old Farmer's Almanac this is also known as a Cold Full Moon.  

 

The full moon you will observe in the heavens this evening is characterized by the arc of its trajectory across the sky which allows it to appear above the horizon for a longer period of time. 

Because of its close association with the winter solstice - and the shortest of daylight hours - native people called this the Long Nights Moon.   My ancient European pagan ancestors called this the Moon Before Yule in recognition of the Yuletide festivities celebrating the return of the sun heralded by the winter solstice. 

 

Since this moon is opposite the sun on this day of the lunar month, it will be fully illuminated and rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.  Full moons such as these during the winter months reach as high in the sky at midnight as a noon summer sun.  Trust me on this one and go outside to see your shadow cast by the moonlight.