First Christmas full moon in nearly 40 years starts tonight

A full moon is seen in Lausanne, Switzerland, in September. Look for one on Christmas morning.

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A rare Christmas full moon will peak Friday morning

Christmas won't fall under a full moon again until 2034, NASA says

CNN  — 

Santa’s sleigh won’t be the only object in the sky tonight.

A bright full moon, the first on Christmas since 1977, will also be on display, weather permitting.

But there’s nothing magical about this holiday light show, says CNN meteorologist Chad Myers. Just science.

“The moon cycles every 29.5 days, meaning every 29.5 days, there will be a full moon. … So, on average, every 29.5 years, a full moon will land on December 25,” he says.

AMESBURY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21:  A man takes a photograph of the sunrise as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.  (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
What you need to know about the winter solstice
00:51 - Source: CNN

“It just makes Santa’s job easier, and Rudolf can stay home,” Myers says.

The last time we had a full Christmas moon was in 1977.

If you want to see the moon, NASA says it will peak at 6:11 a.m. ET on Friday.

Enjoy the display while it lasts. The next Christmas full moon won’t come around until 2034, NASA says.