How to see Friday’s ‘cold moon’ in Australia, the last supermoon of 2025
Skywatchers can catch one final celestial event in 2025 as the year’s last full moon rises with a twist.
The year’s 12th full moon is also a cold supermoon, reaching the nearest point to Earth which will make it appear much larger, brighter and more spectacular than usual.
The moon will rise in the east inside the Taurus constellation. Although it will be considered officially full at about midnight on Friday, the best time to see it in all its glory depends on moonrise in your location.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Moonrise occurs when the moon lifts above the eastern horizon following sunset, and the darker the place you are in, the better viewing experience you can expect.
Gazers are advised to try using a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to take in the second largest supermoon of the year.
What is your best viewing window?
Wherever you are in Australia, the best time to catch the supermoon is after sunset. We’ve listed the predicted best times for each major city in local time according to TimeOut:
Sydney - 8.35pm
Melbourne - 9.16pm
Brisbane - 7.07pm
Perth - 7.57pm
Canberra - 8.49pm
Adelaide - 9.02pm
Darwin - 7.31pm
Hobart - 9.28pm
What makes this moon super?
Full moons are considered super when they reach the closest possible point to Earth during their orbit.
A supermoon can appear up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than a standard full moon because of its proximity to the earth.
Friday’s supermoon is called “cold” because in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the beginning of winter and approaches the winter solstice on December 21.
The term supermoon was coined by astronomer Richard Nolle in 1979, but it’s astronomical name is perigee syzygy.
Top viewing and photography tips
Experts advise getting to a place with a clear view of the eastern horizon.
When taking pictures using your phone, use the settings to turn down your exposure and brightness. This will help you capture a clear image and avoid the “fuzzy light ball” look.
To choose the best viewing spot, look at the forecast and take note of the cloud coverage during moonrise to avoid missing out.
You could also take a timelapse of the moon rising by setting up a tripod.
