While the word snow may not appeal to some in mid-February, a super, snow moon, said to be the largest and brightest of the year, should be in full view Tuesday, Feb. 19, weather permitting.
Supermoon is the term given to a full moon when it reaches perigee, or its closest point to Earth during its orbit. At approximately 3:04 a.m. CST Tuesday morning the moon will be at perigee, and an estimated seven hours later, at 9:54 a.m. CST, it will appear as a supermoon.
The February full moon is nicknamed the snow moon because that was the name given by Native Americans due to the heavy snowfalls that were typical for this time of year, according to the “Old Farmer’s Almanac.”
According to NASA, Monday night into Tuesday morning, the bright star Regulus will also appear to the lower left of the Moon when the moon is highest in the sky and will appear to move closer until about 4:56 a.m. CST.
The next Supermoon is estimated to be in view on March 21, but Tuesday morning’s moon is said to be the brightest of the year.
