Experience the Enchanting Snow Moon: February 2021 Guide
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Chapter 1: The Allure of the Snow Moon
The Snow Moon is a captivating celestial event that promises a stunning display in the sky during February. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this full moon will achieve its peak brightness early on Saturday morning. Make sure to engage in a moment of moonlit meditation on this special night.
To catch the best view of the Snow Moon, look skyward on the evening of Friday, February 26. It will rise above the eastern horizon around sunset and will be at its zenith around midnight. Check your local listings to find the exact visibility times in your area.
The Almanac also delves into the origins of various full moon names, which stem from Native American, Colonial American, and European traditions.
Section 1.1: Understanding the Snow Moon
But why is this lunar phase referred to as the Snow Moon? The National Weather Service attributes this name to the heavy snowfall typically observed in February, historically recognized as one of the snowiest months in the United States.
“Groundhog found fog. New snows and blue toes. Fine and dandy for Valentine candy. Snow spittin’; if you’re not mitten-smitten, you’ll be frostbitten! By jing-y feels spring-y.”
— The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Writers and poets have often depicted the starkness of winter during these cold February days and nights:
“February is a suitable month for dying. Everything around is dead, the trees black and frozen so that the appearance of green shoots two months hence seems preposterous, the ground hard and cold, the snow dirty, the winter hateful, hanging on too long.”
— Anna Quindlen
“It is growing cold. Winter is putting footsteps in the meadow. What whiteness boasts that sun that comes into this wood! One would say milk-colored maidens are dancing on the petals of orchids. How coldly burns our sun! One would say its rays of light are shards of snow, one imagines the sun lives upon a snow-crested peak on this day. One would say she is a woman who wears a gown of winter frost that blinds the eyes. Helplessness has weakened me. Wandering has wearied my legs.”
— Roman Payne
Subsection 1.1.1: Moon Phases for February 2021
All the dates and times listed below are in Eastern Standard Time:
- Last Quarter: February 4, 12:38 PM
- New Moon: February 11, 2:08 PM
- First Quarter: February 19, 1:49 PM
- Full Moon: February 27, 3:19 AM
NASA provides a summary of celestial events, noting that the next full moon will be visible early on Saturday morning, February 27, 2021, at 3:17 AM EST. The moon will appear full for approximately three days around this date, from the evening of Thursday, February 25, through the morning of Sunday, February 28, 2021.
The first video captures the top astronomical events of February 2021, including the Snow Moon, meteor showers, and the alignment of Mercury.
Section 1.2: Upcoming Celestial Events
The Worm Moon will grace the sky on Sunday afternoon, March 25, at 2:48 PM EDT. Similar to the Snow Moon, it will appear full for about three days, from early Saturday morning until early Tuesday morning.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Moon's diameter (2,160 miles) is smaller than the width of the United States, which spans approximately 3,000 miles?
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The second video discusses the Beaver Moon of November 2021, also known as the Frost Moon or Snow Moon, enriching our understanding of lunar events.