Southern Ontario sky-watchers will have a final opportunity to bask under the light of a full moon before the year is up.
While there are no more eclipses this year, there will be plenty of stargazing opportunities.
The final full moon of the year is the cold moon, which will be at its fullest on Wednesday, December 7.
Each year, December's full cold moon illuminates the night sky during the darkest days of the year.
Backyard Astronomer Gary Boyle says the full cold moon will cover Mars for about an hour, depending on where you live.
"Mars will be at its best for viewing the next night as it is closest to our planet which occurs every 26 months," said Boyle.
The December 7 occultation will be seen over most of North America, except in Florida and other surrounding states.
(Photo courtesy of Gary Boyle)
"Although the moon covers or occults stars throughout the month, having this occur with a bright planet is considered a rare event," said Boyle.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, some Indigenous American groups call it the "long night's moon," because it occurs near the winter solstice.
The name cold moon became associated with the December full moon due to the month's frosty winter weather.
