Skywatchers across the UK have a celestial treat in store tonight as the Snow Moon, February's full moon, illuminates the night sky. This monthly lunar spectacle offers a captivating sight for those who know when and how to look.
When to Catch the Snow Moon at Its Peak
The Royal Observatory Greenwich confirms that the full moon is expected to reach its peak brightness at precisely 10.09pm UK time on Sunday evening. Even if you miss this exact moment, the moon typically appears full to the naked eye for a couple of days before transitioning into its next phase, known as the Waning Gibbous, where the illuminated side gradually diminishes.
The Origins of the Snow Moon Name
NASA explains that this particular full moon, being the second of the year, earned its evocative name from Native American tribes in the northeastern United States. These communities named it the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall experienced during this season. Alternative historical names include the Storm Moon, referencing February's often turbulent weather patterns, and the Hunger Moon, which reflects the scarcity of food and challenging hunting conditions that characterised this month in traditional societies.
Viewing the Lunar Surface in Detail
While the full moon is perfectly visible to the unaided eye, using optical aids can transform the experience. NASA recommends that observers looking through binoculars will be able to discern more intricate details on the lunar surface, such as craters and prominent mountain ridges. For an even closer inspection, a telescope will reveal dramatic features including real mountains, valleys, and the distinctive cracks known as rilles, which were formed by ancient lava flows. However, NASA notes that a telescope's magnification might make the moon appear too large to view all at once.
The Cultural Significance of Full Moon Names
There are typically twelve or thirteen full moons each calendar year, each bearing unique names that predominantly originate from Native American traditions. These names were deeply connected to tribal ways of life and seasonal changes, serving as an important method of timekeeping. According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, these designations were later adopted by Colonial Americans and have since become embedded in modern popular culture.
A Guide to the Year's Other Full Moon Names
The Snow Moon represents just one entry in the annual cycle of named full moons. Here is a selection of other monthly full moon names, as documented by the Royal Observatory Greenwich:
- January: Wolf Moon – Named after the haunting howls of wolves searching for scarce food during the depths of winter.
- March: Worm Moon – This name references the worm trails that become visible in the thawing ground as winter gives way to spring.
- April: Pink Moon – Derived from an early blooming species of wildflower that characterises this season.
- May: Flower Moon – Signifying the abundant blossoming that occurs as spring fully establishes itself.
- June: Strawberry Moon – A North American name that honours the traditional strawberry harvest in June.
- July: Buck Moon – A tribute to male deer, which begin regrowing their antlers during this month after shedding them earlier in the year.
- August: Sturgeon Moon – Named for the sturgeon fish, which historically appeared in great numbers during August but are now among Earth's most endangered species.
- September: Full Corn Moon – This bright, early-rising moon allowed farmers to extend their harvesting of crops into the night following summer's end.
- October: Hunter's Moon – Similar to September's moon, its brightness and prolonged visibility provided hunters with extended opportunities to seek prey at night, aided by bare fields offering little cover for animals.
- November: Beaver Moon – The origin is debated; some believe it relates to setting beaver traps, while others attribute it to beavers actively building their winter dams.
- December: Cold Moon – A straightforward name for this winter month's full moon, with alternative names including the Long Night Moon and the Oak Moon.
Understanding the Rare Blue Moon
The phrase "once in a blue moon" finds its origin in this infrequent lunar event. The Royal Observatory Greenwich explains that the moon completes approximately twelve full cycles of its phases in about 354 days, which is roughly eleven days shorter than our calendar year. This discrepancy accumulates over time, resulting in an extra, thirteenth full moon occurring approximately every two and a half years. Additionally, a second full moon occurring within a single calendar month is also commonly termed a Blue Moon. Unlike the traditional monthly moon names, the precise historical origin of the term "Blue Moon" remains somewhat unclear to scholars.
