When is the best time to see the Snow Moon?

The Snow Moon will reach peak illumination at 6:28pm GMT on 5 February 2023. For us here in the UK, this means that peak illumination will occur around two hours after the Moon has risen.

When the Moon is at peak illumination, it will be at a distance of around 404,184.89 km away from Earth, and at magnitude -12.53.

The best time to see the Snow Moon will be on the evening of 5 February 2023. Sunset occurs at 4:56pm (times vary with location), and as the Moon will have just risen by this time, we should be offered a good view of a full Snow Moon later into the evening and throughout the night as it rises higher into the sky.

For observers in the UK, conditions are looking clear on Sunday 5 February. There might be occasional cloud cover, but following a cold, bright day we may allow ourselves to be cautiously optimistic.

Why is it called a Snow Moon?

Due to the relatively low Sun angle and cumulative cooling in the northern hemisphere, February is often the coldest month. Most countries on either side of the Atlantic will see snowfall, and it’s widely accepted this is where the name originates.

In North America, some tribes refer to it as the Storm Moon or Hunger Moon, referencing the scarcity of food and difficulty hunting during snowy conditions.

“Both of those cultural names for February’s full Moon make sense when you consider the climate. It is coldest in January and February, so they are the months when snow is more common and wild food sources are hard to find,” says Dr Darren Baskill, Physics and Astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex.

How will the full Snow Moon affect me?

Despite what your astrology predictions say, the full Snow Moon itself has not been proven to have a direct effect on individuals, as its influence is primarily limited to tidal forces and gravitational interactions with the Earth and its oceans.

However, some people may feel they are affected by the changing energy and atmosphere that the full moon can bring, such as increased feelings of restlessness or heightened emotions.

Additionally, the bright light of a full Moon can make it easier for people to stay up late at night, which can affect their sleep patterns.

Ultimately, the effects of the full Snow Moon (or any full Moon), on an individual can vary and are largely subjective.

Is the Snow Moon in 2023 a micro-Moon?

Not exactly. A micro-Moon is a full Moon that occurs near the time when the Moon is at its farthest point from the Earth in its orbit. That means a Moon approximately 405,000km away from us.

However, at its fullest, this month’s Moon will be just under 404,000km from Earth – not quite reaching the ‘micro’ threshold. However, the Moon will still appear much smaller than normal.

Is the Snow Moon in 2023 a supermoon?

No, the Snow Moon in 2023 is not a supermoon.

A supermoon is an unofficial classification for when the Moon is situated 360,000km (or less) away from Earth in its orbital path, and we’ll often have two or three full supermoons in a row.

In 2022, the Strawberry Moon (June), the Buck Moon (July) and the Sturgeon Moon (August) were all supermoons.

We have to wait until the summer to see another supermoon, which will be on 1 August 2023. This will be followed by a rare blue supermoon at the end of the month on 30 August 2023.

What is the lunar cycle?

The lunar cycle refers to the continuous series of changes that the Moon undergoes as it orbits the Earth, including its phases (New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent) and its relative position in the sky with respect to the Sun.

The lunar cycle takes around 29.53 days to complete, which is why the term ‘lunar month’ is often used to describe the time period between successive full moons.

A full Moon occurs when the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun, which happens when the Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon.

In other words, the Moon is located precisely 180° opposite the Sun in ecliptic longitude. We usually have 12 full Moons in one calendar year, although some years we can have 13. The extra full Moon is known as a ‘Blue Moon’.