Parkdean Resorts have released a list of top tips for budding astronomers hoping to catch a glimpse of the highly anticipated Cold Moon this week. The full Christmas ‘Cold Moon’ will be visible on December 7, 2022 and will reach peak illumination at 23:09.
The Cold Moon, or the Long Night Moon is the name given to the December Full Moon. With each month on average having one full moon, it marks the occasion whereby the moon appears fully illuminated from Earth’s perspective and occurs when Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon.
The Cold Moon gets its name as a result of it rising during the longest nights of the year and it conveys the frigid conditions of this time of year, where the cold weather begins to truly take its toll.
This full moon is particularly special, as in the evening hours of Wednesday, December 7, the moon will appear in close proximity to Mars. The moon will turn full at 23:08, followed by Mars arriving in opposition to the sun shortly after, resulting in an almost perfect alignment of the sun, Earth, moon and Mars. If you see a bright orange-yellow light in the sky, it may in fact be Mars.
Top tips to see the Cold Moon
Either enjoying the warmth of the garden or admiring the night sky from a window, here are Parkdean Resorts top tips for stargazing.
#1 Get up high!
The further up you are, the better your chance of a clear sky to see the stars, plus you'll be able to see low down to the horizon to watch the moon rise! Take a hike in your local area and explore the surroundings to find the perfect stargazing spot! The further you are away from light pollution the better chance you'll have of seeing the stars. Moons always rise in the east and set in the west - so follow this direction in your search.
#2 Turn off the lights
For those stargazing from the comfort of their homes, turning off the lights indoors can improve the visibility of the night sky, so long as you’re not afraid of the dark! Artificial light can make it harder to see stars in the sky so make sure wherever you are is as dark as possible.
#3 Choose a night with clear skies
Parkdean Resorts suggests choosing a night when clear skies are expected for the best chances of seeing the stars. Not only that, but planning the stargazing adventures for special celestial events such as the Buck Supermoon
#4 Research what you’re looking at
Enhance the stargazing experience and download Star Chart free on AR enabled Apple or Android devices. Star Chart allows you to point the camera at the night sky and will tell you exactly what is up there!
#5 Use the Time and Date website for the best chance of spotting the planets!
Time and Date allows you to input your location, before generating information about when the planets are most visible! With lots of helpful information about what's in the universe, this is a great way to educate the family about the wonders of space.
