Baby, it will be cold outside when the full moon rises high in the night sky on Thursday -- a fitting backdrop for what's known as the Cold Moon, especially as the polar vortex ushers in frigid air.
The last full moon of the year will also be a supermoon, appearing slightly larger and brighter than usual when it rises Thursday night. Peak illumination is at 6:14 p.m. EST, according to Timeanddate.com, though the moon will appear full for two nights before and after its peak.
December's full moon will shine brighter because it occurs as the moon approaches perigee, the point in its orbit when it is closest to Earth.
On average, the moon is 238,855 miles away, but on Dec. 4, it will be roughly 17,000 miles closer.
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