Bright supermoon and 2 meteor showers to illuminate California sky. Find out when

California night skies are set to dazzle with a grand full moon and two meteor showers this December. The last full moon of 2025 will be a supermoon, appearing unusually large and bright for observers in the Golden State. This marks the third consecutive supermoon of the year, offering a rare chance for stargazers to witness an extraordinary lunar display.

When to See the December Supermoon

The 12th full moon of the year will reach its peak at 3:14 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, according to Time and Date. The moon will appear more prominent because it coincides with perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit. At this time, the moon can look up to 14% larger and 30% brighter compared to its appearance at apogee, the farthest point from Earth.

Decembers supermoon is the final of three in 2025. Its increased size can slightly elevate tides along Californias coast, though the effect remains modest. California ranks among the top 10 states in the nation for observing this supermoon, with factors like sky clarity, humidity, elevation, and darkness contributing to visibility.

The full moon in December is traditionally called the cold moon, reflecting the seasonal drop in temperatures. Other historical names include the long night moon, snow moon, frost moon, and moon before Yule, highlighting its association with winter nights and ancient Yuletide celebrations.

Geminid Meteor Shower

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the years most prolific, will peak overnight from Saturday, December 13, into Sunday, December 14. Observers may see 60 to 120 meteors per hour under ideal dark skies. These bright, yellow-tinged meteors originate from asteroid 3200 Phaethon and typically appear from 9 or 10 p.m. until dawn.

The 2025 Geminids will be especially favorable for viewing, as the night sky will remain dark until the waning crescent moon rises around 2 a.m. The shower is known for producing fireballsparticularly bright streaks that can appear anywhere across the sky.

Winter Solstice and Ursid Meteor Shower

The winter solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of 2025 in California, occurs on Sunday, December 21. During this time, the sun reaches its lowest path across the sky, creating the longest shadows of the year.

The Ursid meteor shower peaks overnight from Sunday, December 21, into Monday, December 22. Though less intense than the Geminids, observers may still spot up to 10 meteors per hour. The best viewing occurs in dark skies before dawn, with shooting stars occasionally visible throughout the night.

December promises a spectacular celestial show for California, combining the luminous supermoon with two exciting meteor showers for stargazers to enjoy.

Author: Zoe Harrison