Supermoons occur three to four times per year, depending on the alignment of the full moon with perigee.
The first super moon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon, rises in Karachi, Pakistan on October 7, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Pakistan 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 a 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 regular full moon.
The December Cold Moon is the third and final supermoon of 2025. It will reach peak illumination of around 99.8% at 4:15 a.m. PST on December 5. In Pakistan, the nearly full moon (99.2%) will rise at 4:58 p.m. PST on December 4, allowing skywatchers to enjoy the spectacle throughout the night.
Although slightly less “super” than the November event, this supermoon is still remarkable. 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 approximately 7.9% larger and 15% brighter than an average full moon.
Supermoons typically occur three to four times per year, depending on the alignment of the full moon with perigee. Although the difference is subtle to the naked eye, exceptionally close alignments – producing the largest and brightest supermoons – are rare and scientifically significant.
SUPARCO encouraged the public, astronomy enthusiasts, students and families to observe this natural phenomenon. No special equipment is needed and the supermoon will be clearly visible to the naked eye, provided the sky is clear.
