The December full moon reached its peak illumination at 4:02am, according to The Farmer’s Almanac on December 15. While it will appear fully rounded on December 14 and 16 as well, this full moon follows a series of three supermoons and will return to its regular size.

What makes this full moon particularly fascinating is its unusual rise and set positions on the horizon. For the first time in nearly two decades, it will rise and set at the “most northerly and southerly positions,” a phenomenon known as a major lunar standstill. The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles highlights that this occurrence takes place only once every 18.6 years.

The reason for this unique alignment lies in the moon’s path, which differs significantly from that of the sun. As Earth and the moon move, their positions alter the moon’s rising and setting points, leading to this rare celestial event.

The full moon was visible in its full form not just on the night of December 15 but also in the evenings before and after.

Here are three more fun facts about this moon.

1. The cold moon: more than just a name

The full moon, often called the “Cold Moon” by the Mohawks due to the onset of cold weather, is also known as the “Christmas Moon” or “Long Night Moon,” as it rises during the longest nights of the year. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, other names for this moon include the Drift Clearing Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree), Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala), Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee), Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki), Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota), and Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe).

2. Shooting stars while gazing at the moon

The bright light of the full moon may make it challenging to see stars, but the Geminid meteor shower is currently underway, having peaked on December 13. This shower produces over 100 shooting stars per hour, offering plenty of chances to make a wish. The Geminid meteor shower is unique because it originates from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, unlike most meteor showers that come from disintegrating comets.

On a clear night, especially at the peak around 2am (in all time zones), observers can often see 50 or more meteors per hour. During optimal conditions, it’s possible to spot 120 meteors or more in that timeframe, according to EarthSky.org.

NASA has noted that the Geminid shower is particularly accessible for younger viewers, as it typically begins around 9 or 10pm each night.

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3. Full moon eclipses Mars

The visibility of this phenomenon will vary depending on your location, but the full moon will eclipse Mars, as reported by Space.com.

“For some viewers in Central and South America, the moon will obscure the star Beta Tauri, the second-brightest star in Taurus, and three days later, it will obscure Mars,” the website stated.