The last full moon of 2012 will rise into the night sky this week in a year-ending lunar treat.
The full moon is actually an instantaneous event when the moon is exactly opposite the sun in the Earth’s sky, and this month that occurs on Friday morning, Dec. 28, at 5:21 a.m. EST. But, to the naked eye, the moon “looks” full for a couple of days on either side of that time, so the exact date doesn’t matter.
The full moon of December is called the oak moon. Other names are frost moon, winter moon, long night’s moon, and moon before Yule. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky. [Amazing Moon Photos of 2012]
If you snap an amazing photo of the year’s final full moon on Friday – we’d love to see it! You can share your photos or comments with the HTHT Family by simply submitting them to info@ScienceMadeFun.net! Remember to include your name & location in your email!
Read more about the last full moon of 2012 on Space.com