The Astronomy Society of Puerto Rico Inc. (SAPR), an organization endorsed by the NASA Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium, reported that next Tuesday, December 29, we will have the last full moon of 2020, also known as “Cold Moon.”
“The cold moon occurs near the solstice (winter in the northern hemisphere), the days are shorter. It is also known as the moon of long nights. It marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere,” said professor César. M. López, Secretary of the SAPR and Chairman of OCCAE (independent entity affiliated to the SAPR).
The reader will notice that there are 13 full phase moons during the 12 months, in response to the fact that the lunar phase cycle, from new moon to new moon, lasts less than a month (29.53 days), October has 2 full moons and the year, 366 days, because it is a jump.
“The Cold Moon is not only the last of 2020, but also the last of the decade and can be seen with the naked eye from the sky of the island and around the world,” added López.
The SAPR invites those astronomy enthusiasts to showcase their astronomical photos taken with cameras and telescopes via its Facebook page. Anyone who sends their photos to the email address [email protected] will receive the corresponding credit and will be taken into the “Astro Virtual Gallery” on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the organization.
The Puerto Rico Astronomy Society, Inc. (SAPR), is a non-profit organization, as defined by law, which, since 1985, as a result of the passage of Halley’s Comet, has been responsible for promoting the interest in astronomy, for the enjoyment, orientation and education of the Puerto Rican community in general. Through astronomy, skills related to all sciences and areas of human knowledge such as physics, chemistry, biology, high mathematics, anthropology, sociology and even political science can be practiced. The SAPR aims to be the vehicle through which the knowledge of astronomy can be made viable for the community at large. In this way, through scientific knowledge related to the cosmos, we can help build the paths that will lead us to understand what we do not know about the stars, thereby promoting the well-being of humanity.
For more information on the “Cold Moon” gathering and upcoming events to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the organization, please visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saprinc.