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First Christmas full moon in 38 years will light Santa's way

A Christmas full moon for the first time in 38 years
A Christmas full moon for the first time in 38 years A Christmas full moon for the first time in 38 years

STAR reindeer Rudolph may find his services surplus to requirements this Christmas as the festive sky is to be lit up instead by a Yuletide full moon for the first time in 38 years.

The Weather Channel UK revealed on Wednesday that while snow is not on the horizon for December 25 this year there will be another occurrence in the form of a Full Moon.

Referred to as an Oak Moon or a Cold Moon, a full moon at Christmas has not occurred since 1977 and will not happen again until 2034.

It is expected that the full moon will peak in the early hours of Christmas morning when Santa will be at his busiest delivering presents to children around the world.

The full moon finishes off a year which boasted a number of lunar spectaculars including an eclipse in March and a Blood Moon in September.

Kirsty McCabe, senior meteorologist at the Weather Channel, described the full moon as a "rare treat".

She also revealed that the Christmas full moon would rise at sunset and set at sunrise.

"It's the only time this month that the moon will be in the sky for the entire duration of the night," she said.

"So, wrap up, head outside and enjoy the view weather permitting".