[ad_1]
February’s full moon, the second in 2024, will rise this weekend in fiery color and light, but don’t expect a giant orb to appear in the evening sky. Thanks to orbital mechanics, the “snow moon” that rises at dusk on Saturday (February 24) will be the smallest moon of the year.
The exact opposite of a supermoon, this snow moon becomes a full moon when our natural satellite’s orbit approaches the farthest point from Earth in the moon’s slightly elliptical orbit.
Despite its small size, the Snow Moon, also known as the Hungry Moon, Storm Moon, Wolf Moon, and Candle Moon, NASA, promises a breathtaking display. Its appearance heralds the beginning of the Lantern Festival, also known as Shangyuan or Yuanjie, which is part of Chinese New Year celebrations.
Technically, high tide occurs during the day (7:30 a.m. ET) in North America, but the best visibility will be during moonrise later in the day. The exact time of your current location is Moonrise and moonset calculator.
Related: An undiscovered “mini-moon” may be orbiting Earth. Could they help us become an interplanetary species?
Look for the Snow Moon to rise in the eastern sky just after sunset Saturday. At this time, it glows a deep orange color due to the influence of the Earth’s atmosphere. For the best views, find a high spot facing east with a clear view of the horizon. The naked eye is the best way to see the full moonrise, but binoculars You will be able to observe craters and other features on the moon. The moon will be bright and full on Friday and Sunday as well.
The next full moon after the “Snow Moon” will be the “Worm Moon” on March 25th, flowing into Earth’s shadow and causing a slight penumbral lunar eclipse. As a result, the moon Total solar eclipse will occur in 2 weeks on April 8thwill be best seen within a narrow 115-mile (185-kilometer) wide radius. path of wholeness It spans northwestern Mexico, 15 states in the United States, and six provinces in Canada.
[ad_2]
Source link
