December 2024 Moon Phases: New Moon, Full Cold Moon, and Planetary Alignments

The month of December 2024 is set to be an exciting time for moon observers and stargazers. It begins with a New Moon on December 1st, marking the start of a new lunar cycle. This New Moon falls under the sign of Sagittarius, often associated with themes of manifestation and new beginnings in astrology.

Following the New Moon, the waxing crescent moon will form a lovely pairing with Venus on December 3rd and 4th. During this time, Venus will be particularly visible in the dark sky, offering a stunning celestial sight.

The first quarter moon occurs on December 8th, and it will be near Saturn on December 7th and 8th. As the moon continues to wax, it will approach Jupiter on December 13th and 14th, setting the stage for the Full Cold Moon, which is the last full moon of 2024. This full moon will occur overnight on December 14th and 15th.

In the latter part of the month, the gibbous moon will be close to Mars on December 17th and 18th, with some locations experiencing the moon passing in front of Mars. The last quarter moon is on December 22nd, and the moon will be at its farthest point from Earth on December 24th. The month concludes with a thin waning crescent moon near Mercury in the morning twilight on December 27th and 28th, and another new moon on December 30th.

For those interested in auroral viewing, it’s important to note that the moon’s phases can affect visibility. The new moon phases are optimal for viewing auroras since the moon’s light does not interfere with the faint auroral displays.