Snow Moon/ Hunger Moon

Snow Moon, also known as the Hunger Moon, will appear slightly smaller than usual due to its position in orbit.

About Snow Moon/ Hunger Moon:

Snow Moon:

• The name “Snow Moon” is associated with Native American traditions, particularly those of the northeastern United States.
• The name reflects the heavy snowfall often experienced during February, making hunting more challenging and resources scarcer.
• This name has been adopted into modern astronomy and is widely recognized.

Hunger Moon:

• Another name linked to the February full moon is the “Hunger Moon.”
• This name is often associated with the scarcity of food during the winter months, as hunting becomes more challenging due to bad weather, and supplies from previous harvests may be running low.

Wolf Moon:

• While the Wolf Moon is often associated with January, some lists include it as an old European name for the February full moon as well.
• This name is rooted in the observation of increased wolf howling during the winter months.

Candles Moon:

• The association with Candlemas, a Christian festival on February 2, ties the full moon to the blessing of candles for the upcoming year.
• This European name adds another layer of cultural significance.

Minimoon or Micromoon:

• The term “Minimoon” or “Micromoon” is used when the full moon coincides with the moon being at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, known as apogee.
• This results in the moon appearing slightly smaller in the sky compared to a “Supermoon,” when the moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee).

Avoiding Earth’s shadow:

• Full moon happens when the Moon is exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun.

• Ordinarily illuminated by the sun’s light, the moon occasionally enters Earth’s shadow due to its orbit.
• February’s full moon, however, avoids Earth’s shadow, as the moon’s orbit is tilted by five degrees to the plane of Earth’s orbit.

Ref: Source