A full moon is seen with the lights of the new year as it rises over the Edirne region of Turkey on December 30, … [+]
Anadolu Group through Getty Images
This Friday and Saturday are the best times to see the February “Snow Moon” hike, though just which one is best depends on where you are.
Here’s everything you need to know “Snow Moon” – and why it’s so special in Asia where it inspired the “Yuanxiao” festival.
When is the Full ‘Snow Moon?’
The full “Snow Moon” takes place at 08:17 Universal Time (you can turn here to your time frame). At that moment, the face of the moon we see on Earth will be full of sunshine while in front of the Leo constellation. However, that is not the time to look at the moon.
The rising of a full moon is an amazing sight.
getty
Why is North America separated ‘by the Snow Moon?’
At the time of the full moon only, the rising of the moon occurs near the setting of the sun. However, while the closest match between the two from the east coast of North America takes place at dusk on February 27, for the west coast which takes place at dusk on 26 February:
- New York: sunset at 5.44pm EST and moonrise at 6.17pm EST on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
- Los Angeles: moonrise at 5:21 pm PST and sunset at 5:46 pm PST on Friday, February 26, 2021.
What is the Lantern Festival? ‘
New Year’s celebrations in Asia – which began at the New Moon on Friday, February 12, 2021 to mark the beginning of the “Year of the Stags” – culminated in the rising of the “Snow Moon” on Saturday, February 27, 2021 So the Chinese New Year 2021 began on February 12 and the celebrations – known as the “Lantern Festival” and “Yuanxiao” – took place on February 26th.
Yuanxiao is the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.
People visit a lantern display at Yuyuan Garden ahead of China’s New Year, the Year of the Ox, on … [+]
VCG through Getty Images
Why is it called the full ‘Snow Moon?’
The names that are widely used for full Moons go back mostly to those that were used – or are said to have been used (there is no written record) – by tribes Native American. That was the name “Snow Moon” in February, although there were many Native American tribes. according to Moongiant, although “Snow Moon” was a popular name for the full moon of February throughout North America, the Cherokee tribe called it the “Moon of the Bones” and the Kalapuya tribe called it a “Moon Out of Food, ”as winter supplies have dwindled to the bones.
However, for the Hopi tribe it was known as the “Moon of Cleansing and Renewal” as it was the first full Moon of the lunar calendar year.
In Europe, the full moon of February is known as “Storm Moon,” and has been dubbed the “Ice Moon” by the Celts.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.