What Moon is in February?

February is the shortest month of the year, but it still has plenty of celestial events to offer. If you’re a moon-watcher or an avid stargazer, you might be wondering what moon is in February. There are a few different answers to that question depending on your time zone, so let’s explore them all.

The Full Snow Moon

If you live in North America, you’ll likely hear the February moon referred to as the Full Snow Moon. This name originates from various Native American tribes who named the full moon of each month based on the weather or natural phenomena happening during that time.

The Full Snow Moon gets its name from the snowy conditions common in February, as it’s typically one of the coldest months of the year. Other names include the Hunger Moon (due to the scarcity of food during the winter), the Bear Moon (because bears hibernate during this time), and the Storm Moon (for the frequent snow storms).

The Full Grain Moon

On the other side of the world, in the Southern Hemisphere, February brings the Full Grain Moon. This name also comes from indigenous traditions of naming the full moon based on the season and its significance to agriculture.

As February falls during the harvest season in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, it’s a fitting name for this moon. Other names for the Full Grain Moon include the Sturgeon Moon (for the fish that are plenty at this time), the Red Moon, and the Corn Moon.

The Lunar New Year Moon

Apart from these regional names, the February full moon is also known as the Lunar New Year Moon. This name is associated with the Chinese New Year calendar, which falls on a different date each year due to lunar cycles.

In 2021, the lunar new year fell on February 12th, which was also the date of the Full Snow Moon. This convergence of two special celestial events made it a perfect time for those celebrating the Lunar New Year to honor the moon and all of its symbolism.

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What Moon is in February? FAQs

February is the shortest month of the year, but it still boasts of several intriguing lunar events. The Moon’s phase changes continually, and if you’re interested in astronomy, you might have some questions regarding February’s Moon. In this post, we’ll go through some of the most frequently asked questions about the Moon in February.

1. What is the full moon in February called?

The Full Moon in February is known as the Snow Moon. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Native Americans called it the Snow Moon because of the heavy snow that usually occurs during this time of year. It’s also known as the Hunger Moon since hunting was complicated during this season.

2. When is the Snow Moon in February?

The Snow Moon usually occurs in February, and it reaches its full phase at a specific time. In 2022, for instance, the Snow Moon will reach its full phase on February 18 at 3:34 a.m. (EST). Keep in mind that the exact time may vary from year to year depending on various factors, such as the location and time zone.

3. What other lunar events happen in February?

Aside from the Snow Moon, February also experiences other significant lunar events. Here are some of them:

a. New Moon

The New Moon is the opposite of the Full Moon. During this phase, the Moon is positioned between the Sun and the Earth, and it’s not visible from the Earth. The New Moon occurs on February 1 at 8:42 p.m. (EST).

b. First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon happens a week after the New Moon. During this phase, we can only see half of the Moon, and it appears like a half-circle. In February, the First Quarter Moon occurs on February 8 at 11:47 a.m. (EST).

c. Last Quarter Moon

The Last Quarter Moon is another lunar event that occurs in February. During this phase, we can also see half of the Moon, but it’s the opposite side that we see during the First Quarter Moon. The Last Quarter Moon takes place on February 25 at 5:15 a.m. (EST).

4. Is there a lunar eclipse in February 2022?

Unfortunately, there’s no lunar eclipse expected to occur in February 2022. Lunar eclipses don’t happen every month, and they occur when the Earth blocks the Sun’s rays from reaching the Moon.

5. Can you see the Snow Moon from anywhere in the world?

Yes, the Snow Moon can be seen from anywhere in the world as long as the sky is clear. However, due to the lunar event’s timing, it might be challenging to see it if the sky is cloudy or if there’s a lot of light pollution around.

6. What does it mean if there’s a Blue Moon in February?

A Blue Moon occurs when there are two Full Moons in the same calendar month. However, the probability of a Blue Moon occurring in February is lower since February has fewer days than the other months. Nonetheless, it’s still possible to have a Blue Moon in February.

What Moon is in February?

February is a month of changes in nature, and the same is true for the moon. Every year, the moon undergoes a series of phases, and these phases influence the behavior of the tides, animals, and even us as humans. In this article, we will take a closer look at the various moons that occur in February.

Phases of the Moon in February

The moon goes through eight different phases. Each phase is characterized by the amount of illumination it receives from the sun, and this determines the amount of the moon we see from Earth’s surface. The different phases of the moon in February are:

New Moon

The new moon occurs when the moon is between the sun and Earth. The side of the moon that is facing Earth is not illuminated because the sun’s rays are shining on the opposite side. The new moon is not visible to us from Earth.

Waxing Crescent

After the new moon, the next phase is the waxing crescent. During this phase, the moon is slowly becoming more illuminated as it moves away from the sun. The crescent shape we see during this phase is the result of the sun’s light illuminating only a small part of the moon.

First Quarter

The first quarter moon appears about a week after the new moon. During this phase, half of the moon is illuminated by the sun’s light. We see the first quarter moon as a semi-circle shape.

Waxing Gibbous

The waxing gibbous phase occurs after the first quarter moon. During this phase, the illuminated portion of the moon continues to grow until it almost looks like a full moon. Waxing gibbous is the phase between the first quarter and full moon.

Full Moon

The full moon is perhaps the most famous moon phase. When the moon is directly opposite the sun, we see it fully illuminated. This is the only time we see the entire face of the moon from Earth.

Waning Gibbous

After the full moon, the moon begins to wane or decrease in illumination. The waning gibbous phase is the period between the full moon and the third quarter moon.

Third Quarter

The third quarter moon is opposite to the first quarter moon. Half of the moon facing Earth is illuminated during this phase. We see the third quarter moon as a semi-circle shape like the first quarter moon.

Waning Crescent

The waning crescent occurs just before a new moon. During this phase, the illuminated portion of the moon continues to decrease until it becomes too small to see.

What is the Snow Moon?

February’s full moon is called the Snow Moon because it’s the time of year when the heaviest snowfalls occur, typically in North America. It’s also been called the Hunger Moon and the Bone Moon, due to the shortage of food that often occurred during the harsh winter months.

How to Observe the Moon in February?

Observing the moon is a fun activity that can be done with the naked eye or a telescope. The best time to see the moon is at night when it is in a phase that is visible from Earth. The full moon is the easiest phase to observe with the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope will give you a closer look.

Conclusion

The moon is a fascinating celestial object that goes through a series of phases each year. The various moons that occur in February are no exception. By understanding the different phases of the moon and their significance, we can appreciate the beauty and wonder of our nearest neighbor in space.