Historically, many cultures have looked to the moon rather than the sun to help track the months and seasons—and they adopted special names for full moons throughout the year. That’s why, in the Northern Hemisphere, a full moon that appears in December is known as the Cold Moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, a nod to the chilly temperatures of winter. Various American Indian tribes have given it equally descriptive names, including the Long Night Moon, as it occurs near the winter solstice. Other Native American terms include Oak Moon, Big Spirit Moon, and Snow Moon. The Cold Moon of 2018 rises this evening about 15 minutes after sunset. And in case you’re wondering, the moonrise on our homepage image today was photographed over the Thunderer, a mountain in Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming.
Night of the ‘Cold Moon’
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Arrone in Umbria, Italy
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A century since Tut s tomb was discovered
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Gray days ahead in Monterey
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A bite of ancient history
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Salt of the earth
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Spring equinox
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National Park Week: Wind Cave National Park
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Mexican giant cardon cactus
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Going head-to-head with winter
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A temple, preserved
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Nha Phu Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam
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Central Highlands of Vietnam
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Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
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Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Cousins Day
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Antarctica Day
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Modica, Sicily, Italy
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Whales in winter
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Summer winds down in the Hamptons
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National Take a Hike Day
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Frankenstein Friday
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It s not always sunny in Abu Simbel…
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Ring of fire
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The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
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Time for brass bands and beer
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White Sands National Park turns 90
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So, how long till springtime?
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St. Paul Winter Carnival
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That s quite a schnoz, baby tapir