The final full moon of 2022 lit up the night sky this week.
The “cold moon” peaked at 11:08 p.m. ET Wednesday, CNN reported.
Along with the moon, stargazers were also able to see Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. Mars disappeared behind the moon when it reaches peak fullness in a phenomenon known as a lunar occultation, according to EarthSky.
It came on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 17 mission launch, the last time a person set foot on the moon, CNN reported.
The name “cold moon” comes from the cooling, downright frigid, temperatures in December, according to the almanac. It also goes by similar names such as “snow moon” and “winter maker moon,” Space.com reported. Other names include “frost exploding trees moon” from the Cree, “moon of the popping trees” from the Oglala people and the “moon when the deer shed their antlers,” used by the Dakota people.
Here are 10 stunning images of the cold moon shared on social media with the hashtag #coldmoon or #fullmoon:
1. Arizona
Photo by: @AJamesMcCarthy
This is the moment Mars peeked out from behind our moon after being hidden for an hour. This shot was captured using my largest telescope and a special high-speed camera. Seeing another planet rising on the horizon of our moon was such a surreal experience. pic.twitter.com/8IctbVXuUM
— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) December 8, 2022
2. Superior, Wisconsin
Photo by: @uw_superior
The Full Cold Moon did not disappoint. @holdenlawphoto pic.twitter.com/O9dRvIl7Tk
— UW-Superior (@uw_superior) December 8, 2022
3. Kent, U.K.
Photo by: @mickfitz99
‘Cold Moon’, the last full moon 🌝 of the year sinking over a frosty 🥶 #TunbridgeWellsandRusthallCommons early this morning @StormHour @worldphenomena1 pic.twitter.com/m5bmstgFaT
— Mick Fitzgerald (@mickfitz99) December 8, 2022
4. Ontario
Photo by: @davecathyo
Cold moon full moon kanata Ontario pic.twitter.com/pCJzj1AUsX
— davecathyo@gmail.com (@davecathyo) December 8, 2022
5. New York City
Photo by: @GaryHershorn
The full Cold Moon passes over 42nd Street as it sets at sunrise in New York City, Thursday morning #newyorkcity #nyc #newyork #moon #fullmoon #coldmoon @agreatbigcity pic.twitter.com/XGFdcmZ3t5
— Gary Hershorn (@GaryHershorn) December 8, 2022
6. Matawan, New Jersey
Photo by: @torchianator
Full Cold Moon setting over OBHS this morning, with Mars hanging out just nearby! Have a great day, everyone! @OldBridgeTPS @DaveCurren pic.twitter.com/83pke8ECVd
— Torchianator (@torchianator) December 8, 2022
7. Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Photo by: @GregForrister
Good morning full "Cold" Moon as seen from Fitchburg, MA. @Met_CindyFitz @ShiriSpear pic.twitter.com/oPhvjqtJ7r
— Greg Forrister (@GregForrister) December 8, 2022
8. Tampa, Florida
Photo by: @LBell911
The #coldmoon Full Moon was bright when taking off from #Tampa this morning on @SouthwestAir flight 2260 #flwx @JimCantore @NWSTampaBay Great flight crew too! pic.twitter.com/kREedMnUgP
— Larry Bell (@LBell911) December 8, 2022
9. Burleson, Texas
Photo by: @mattlantz
Drove down to Burleson to get out of the clouds/fog and found enough clearing for about 10 minutes to catch #Mars before it went behind the #fullmoon. Previous tweet has a better photo of it.#coldmoon #MarsOccultation @wfaaweather @TxStormChasers @Fox4Weather @RickMitchellWX pic.twitter.com/XUg7nwbt0u
— Matt Lantz (@mattlantz) December 8, 2022
10. Valrico, Florida
Photo by: @rkotinsky
Good Morning Moon - Dec. 8th 2022
— Ronald Kotinsky Photography (@rkotinsky) December 8, 2022
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Valrico - Florida
- Single Frame at 500mm Canon EOSR5
-#moon #coldmoon #NaturePhotography pic.twitter.com/IivZCkEgBZ
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