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.

December's night sky offers Venus and a crescent moon shining together as the planet emerge after sunset and a “Cold Beaver Moon” rises.

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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.