Wednesday

Stargazers across the world were treated to a stunning second showing of the 'Super Snow Moon' on Tuesday night.

The name refers to the fact that its appearance often coincides with with heavy snowfall around this time of year, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac reference book.

The lunar marvel was expected to be the largest and brightest full moon of 2019 due to the almost exact overlap of the moon's perigee - its closest point to Earth - and when it is at its fullest in the 28-day lunar cycle.

The point of true perigee is when the moon perfectly coincides with the fullest version of the moon, meaning it appears up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than normal.

After setting on Tuesday morning following it sensational debut Monday night, the Super Snow Moon became visible again overnight.

The full moon in February is called the snow moon in the northern Hemisphere. Many times, snow cover is most expansive during February across North America. Snow cover reflects the moonlight, just adding to the brightness of the night with the full or nearly full moon.


February Moon names from different cultures Ice (Celtic). Old Moon (Cree). Gray Moon (Pima). Wind Moon (Creek). Winter Moon (Taos). Nuts Moon (Natchez). Avunnivik Moon (Inuit). Geese Moon (Omaha). Bony Moon (Cherokee). Purification Moon (Hopi). Little bud Moon (Kiowa). Snow Moon (Neo-Pagan). Lateness Moon (Mohawk). Shoulder Moon (Wishram). Rabbit Moon (Potawatomi). Sucker Moon (Anishnaabe). Long Dry Moon (Assiniboine). Little Famine Moon (Choctaw). Storm Moon (Medieval English). Sparkling Frost Moon (Arapaho). Running Fish Moon (Winnebago). Coyote Frighten Moon (San Juan). Spruce Tips Moon (Passamaquoddy). Raccoon Moon, Trees Pop Moon (Sioux). Hunger Moon : Dark, Storm Moon : Full (Janic). Snow Moon, Hunger Moon, Trappers Moon (Algonquin).

Other moon names : Wolf Moon, Wild Moon, Quickening Moon, Solmonath Moon, Chaste Moon, Horning Moon, Red Moon, Big Winter Moon, Cleansing Moon.

February's full moon is also known as the "Full Hunger Moon" because food was scarce and hunting was difficult for ancient tribes during this month.

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Responses to "Super Snow moon: The biggest and brightest full moon of 2019"

  1. Lenape: Chkwali Kishux - Frog Moon

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