The second full moon of the year is set to light up the skies this week, perfectly timed with Valentine’s Day. February’s full moon is dubbed the ‘Snow Moon‘ taking its name from the heavy snowfall that traditionally occurs this time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Of course, this doesn’t mean much for those in the Southern Hemisphere where it is the height of summer. If you’re eager to catch a glimpse, here is everything you need to know about the full Snow Moon.
When can you see the Snow Moon in Australia?
A full moon happens when the moon is directly opposite the sun in the sky, as seen from Earth, according to Space.com. The full Snow Moon reaches its peak on February 13 at 12.53am AEDT, which means it will appear full on the nights of both February 12 and 13. The Snow Moon is generally a bright orange-red colour.
Why is it called the ‘Snow Moon’?
All full moons have names that typically come from ancient tradition or lore. The name of February’s full moon is known as the snow moon because the shortest month of the year is also usually the snowiest. Some cultures in the Northern Hemisphere have their own interpretations of this full moon. For example, some native American tribes call it the Hunger Moon due to the scarcity of food and challenging hunting conditions due to bad weather around this time.
How to see it
For an optimal sky-gazing experience, it’s recommended to escape the light pollution often found in urban areas and find an elevated location. The further you are from city lights, the clearer the night sky will appear. In Sydney, you can head down to Palm Beach Headland which is the first Urban Dark Sky Place in Australia or drive out further to the Warrumbungle National Park for truly pristine night skies. You can view the moon with naked eyes but using a pair of binoculars will enhance the experience.