The second full Moon of 2024 will soon be visible – even if it’s a micromoon this month. Called the Snow Moon, and it's also the last full Moon of winter (spring is finally almost here).
So, when is the best time to see the full Snow Moon from the UK? How far away is a micromoon? And what constellation is the Moon in now? Here’s everything you need to know about the full Moon in February 2024.
If you fancy making the most of clear nights, check out our astronomy for beginner’s guide. It’s a great place to start if you’d like to get to grips with some of the most distinguishable constellations.
Learn how to take great pictures of the Moon with our practical guide to lunar photography. It's packed full of tips, tricks, and expert advice from astrophotographer and BBC Sky at Night presenter Pete Lawrence. Whether you’ve got a smartphone or all the latest tech – there are beginner, intermediate and advanced tutorials for you to try. Don't say we do nothing for you.
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When can I see the Snow Moon 2024?
With clear skies, the Snow Moon will be visible in the early morning and evening of 24 February 2024 in the UK, the US and around the world.
Peak illumination for the February full Moon will occur at 12:30pm GMT. This means that for viewers in the UK, 100 per cent illumination will occur in the middle of the day when the Moon is below the horizon. However, it will still appear 'full' when it rises at night (and for a few days after).
When viewed from London, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast at 5:27pm GMT on 24 February. It will set in the west-northwest at 7:32am on 25 February.
From New York, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast at 5:55pm EST on 24 February. It will set in the west at 7:18 on 25 February.
From Seattle, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast at 6:07pm PST on 24 February. It will set in the west at 7:40am on 25 February.
What is special about the Snow Moon in 2024?
The Snow Moon this year is special for two reasons. First, it’s the day before the Moon reaches apogee – that’s the furthest point away from us in its orbit around the Earth. So the Snow Moon this year is the smallest (and cutest) full Moon of the year.
Second, it’s the culmination of the Chinese New Year celebrations and is marked by the traditional Lantern Festival. If you’re in the US, you might like to toast the full Moon with some chips and dips. Why, you ask? 24 February is also National Tortilla Day… the more you know!
When is the best time to see the Snow Moon in 2024?
The best time to see the Snow Moon will either be soon after rising, in the early evening of 24 February, or just before moonset on the morning of 24 February. On both these occasions, as well as being closest to full illumination, it will be low on the horizon, which always makes for a picturesque setting.
From London, the Moon will set at 7:21am GMT on the morning of 24 February. Early morning commuters will be able to spot it low on the horizon. Looking up between 6am and 7am will offer some nice views of the Moon against the pre-dawn sky.
If you’d prefer to wait until the evening, the Moon will rise at 5:27pm GMT on 24 February. The Sun will set just three minutes later, at 5:30pm. Looking up between 6pm to 7pm will provide some nice sunset views as we head into a gradually darkening sky.
Because the Earth rotates anticlockwise on its axis, this results in a Moon that appears to move from left to right in the northern hemisphere, and from right to left in the southern hemisphere. Rotating through 360 degrees every 24 hours, means the Moon (and planets, stars, and the Sun) move 15 degrees across the sky, every hour.
So, if you’ve got a lot of foliage or buildings obscuring your view at moonrise, look up around an hour later and the Moon will have scooted 15 degrees along.
Why is February's full Moon called a Snow Moon?
The cumulative cooling effect from the winter months (over both land and water) and the low angle of the Sun makes February (and January) the coldest months of the year for the northern hemisphere.
America, Canada and often Europe see a significant snowfall at this time, so it’s generally accepted this to be the origin of the name. (Although the name is occasionally applied to January’s full Moon.)
What constellation is the Moon in?
On Thursday 22 February, the Moon is in the constellation Cancer the Crab. The Moon spends between 2 and 2.5 days in each of the zodiac constellations. So, by the night of full, the Moon will have moved into the constellation Leo. At this time, it will be situated roughly between the constellation’s brightest star, Regulus, and Chertan, which marks the lion’s hind quarters.
Three days after full on 27 February, the Moon will have moved into the constellation Virgo. After that, it will move into Libra from 1 March.
Is the Snow Moon a supermoon?
No, the Snow Moon in February 2024 is not a supermoon.
A supermoon is a term that’s been widely adopted, but remains an unofficial designation. That being said, it’s still a fun way to describe when the Moon will appear larger in the sky. (Bonus points if a supermoon coincides with a lunar eclipse.)
A supermoon is essentially the opposite of a micromoon, which we have this February. The Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical orbit, so its distance away from us naturally fluctuates throughout the year.
Lunar perigee occurs when the Moon is closest to us. Lunar apogee is when the Moon is furthest away from us. If perigee occurs close to, or on a full Moon, the Moon will appear to us as being bigger and brighter. This is when we see a supermoon. This is usually when the Moon is around 360,000km or less away from the Earth, although this distance is best taken with a pinch of salt.
Likewise, if apogee occurs close to, or on a full Moon, the Moon will appear smaller, hence we see a micromoon.
How far away is the Moon?
On Sunday 25 February 2024, when the Moon reaches apogee, it will be 406,312 km (252,470 miles) away from the Earth. It is the smallest full Moon of 2024. Contrast this with a supermoon which is typically 360,000km or less away from Earth. That makes February’s micromoon over 46,000km farther away than during a typical supermoon.
Taking into account all phases, the Moon is technically furthest away on 2 October 2024. However, as this coincides with a new Moon, we won’t physically be able to see anything. On this date, the Moon will be 406,516 km (252,597 miles) away.
- Related: Who owns the Moon?
What causes a full Moon?
A full Moon occurs when the side of the Moon that is facing the Earth is fully illuminated by the Sun. This happens when the Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon as part of the lunar cycle. In the same way that planets can go into opposition, a full Moon is essentially when the Moon is in ‘opposition’, as it’s opposite the Sun in the sky.
When there is a full Moon, the Sun and the Moon are balanced. They’re opposite each other in the sky, so as one sets, the other rises. This timing shifts as the month progresses, which is why we end up seeing a crescent Moon in the daylight sky.
One lunar cycle is around 29.53 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds) long. It's measured from new Moon to new Moon, so a full Moon falls halfway through the cycle.
Although the Moon will appear full all night, and even for a day on either side of full, technically, it’s only ‘full’ for an instant. For the Snow Moon this month, that moment is at 12:30pm GMT. This moment is called ‘syzygy’. It refers to the exact moment when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a perfectly straight line. But of course, all three are moving (including the Sun), so syzygy can only ever happen for a moment.
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