Last supermoon of the year, the cold moon, seen across the U.S.: See the photos

The final full moon of the year — a supermoon known as the cold moon — shone brightly across the world this week.

It follows two other supermoons this year: the harvest supermoon on Oct. 7 and the beaver supermoon on Nov. 5.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon being at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. The moon, as a result, will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, December’s full moon is known as the cold moon, “reflecting the frigid season.” The almanac website says it’s “also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican) because it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice, and remains above the horizon for an extended period.”

Supermoons appear only three to four times a year, NASA says. And at its closest point to Earth, the moon can appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a moon that is farthest away from Earth.

The next full supermoon, also known as the wolf moon “because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time,” will happen on Jan. 3.

See photos of December’s dazzling supermoon below.