It may be chilly outdoors, however witnessing a full moon is at all times a deal with for skywatchers — significantly when it is a particular one.
February’s Full Snow Moon rises on Sunday (Feb. 5) and would be the smallest full moon of the yr, because of the present place of the moon in its orbit. Its distance from Earth will make this Snow Moon a “micromoon,” the other of a supermoon. Whereas most observers will not have the ability to inform a distinction with the unaided eye, this month’s full moon will seem as much as 14% smaller than a supermoon.
The Full Snow Moon will happen Sunday at 1:28 p.m. (1828 GMT) and will likely be positioned within the Leo constellation. In New York Metropolis, the full moon will rise at 5:10 p.m. (2210 GMT) and can attain its highest level within the sky simply after midnight. For skywatchers who do not need to courageous the chilly February night to see the full moon, the Digital Telescope Undertaking will host a free telescope livestream starting Sunday (Feb. 5) at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).
Associated: February full moon 2023: The Snow Moon rises with Jupiter, Mars and Orion
Learn extra: Full moon calendar 2023: When to see the next full moon
February’s Full Snow Moon would possibly technically be a micromoon, however it’ll nonetheless shine brightly within the evening sky. Whereas the sunshine of the full moon will obscure some dimmer and extra distant objects from view, the skies will even be graced on Sunday evening by the presence of a number of shiny planets.
Jupiter will likely be shiny and well-positioned for viewing for many of the evening for skywatchers in mid-northern latitudes that embody the USA, as will Mars. From New York Metropolis, Jupiter ought to seem within the southwestern skies round 7:00 p.m. native time and can set round 9:30, whereas Mars will likely be to the south. At round 6:00 p.m. EST (2300 GMT), Venus will likely be very shiny within the night sky till it units some 90 minutes later.
When you’re out gazing on the shiny full moon, make sure you look over on the Orion constellation. The Hunter is seen for many of the evening all through February and can start excessive within the east-southeast every evening. Taurus and Gemini will likely be seen close to Orion, as will Canis Main, dwelling of the brightest star within the sky, Sirius. Every of those constellations will likely be shiny sufficient to not be overwhelmed by the sunshine of the full moon, even in areas with gentle air pollution.
If you wish to get some nice pictures of February’s Full Snow Moon, make certain to not miss our information on how to photograph the moon for the perfect lunar pictures ideas and methods we have discovered. We even have guides on the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography if that you must gear up for this or different celestial occasions.
Editor’s Observe: When you catch an amazing picture of the Full Snow Moon and want to share it with House.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to spacephotos@space.com.
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