A 'Cold Moon' supermoon to appear over Connecticut on Thursday. Here's the best time to view it

The last supermoon of the year is set to rise over Connecticut on Thursday, appearing noticeably larger and brighter due to its close approach to Earth. Although the day is expected to be bitterly cold, clear skies should make for ideal viewing when the moon reaches its peak at 6:14 p.m.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon aligns with the moons perigee the point where it is nearest to Earth during its 27-day elliptical orbit. Because the orbit is not perfectly circular, the moons distance from Earth varies, allowing a supermoon to appear up to 14 percent bigger and as much as 30 percent brighter than the dimmest full moon of the year.

Decembers full moon, traditionally called the Cold Moon, will be the third supermoon in a row, following the harvest moon in October and Novembers beaver moon. Its closer-than-usual distance can also generate slightly stronger tides, even though the moon will still be about 226,000 miles from Earth.

Thursday nights forecast suggests excellent visibility, with projected cloud cover between 11 and 29 percent across Connecticut. Temperatures, however, are expected to fall into the low teens and upper single digits, making warm clothing essential for anyone planning to watch the spectacle.

In Hartford, moonrise is scheduled for 3:44 p.m. on Thursday, with moonset at 8:08 a.m. on Friday, offering the best chance to view the supermoon during the evening or overnight hours.

Author: Lucas Grant