December's full moon is known as the Cold Moon or the Long Night Moon because it occurs during the longest periods of darkness of the year, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year, marks the winter solstice or the start of astronomical winter. But if you ask any meteorologist, winter began on Dec. 1.

The new moon of December occurs tonight. A day later, Southern Hemisphere observers will see the peak of the Phoenicid meteor shower, and on Dec. 4 the waxing moon will make a close pass to Venus in the evening sky.

A December supermoon, dubbed the "Full Cold Moon," shines through the Christmas tree made of holiday lights in front of First Presbyterian Church on South College Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Fort Collins, Colo. The next full moon, a cold moon, will be visible on Dec. 15 at 4:02 a.m., according to TimeandDate.com.

The Cold Moon, December's full moon, will reach peak illumination on Sunday, Dec. 15. This follows November's full moon, the Beaver Moon. December's full moon marks the final full moon of 2024. The moon is currently in its waning gibbous phase at 91% illumination, according to Space.com. The moon's phases in December are:

A 'Cold' Moon, multiple meteor showers and a giant gas giant in our night sky are among December's stargazing highlights. Here's what to look forward to this month.

From the Orion constellation to the bright planet Venus and the annual Geminids meteor shower. The Orion constellation, one of the most recognizable star patterns, is at its brightest from December through March.