Beautiful Full ‘Snow Moon’ to Light up the Skies

Posted: February 15, 2022 1:00 pm

Since February is a short month, there are not many interesting astronomical events during the month, but there is one you will not want to miss. Look in the sky starting on February 16 to see the Snow Moon. It is the only full moon in February and the last full moon until the Worm Moon appears on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Names for February’s Moon

Before the first settlers arrived, the Algonquin tribe had already named February’s full moon the snow moon. It was important to them because heavy snow often made it hard to hunt when this moon was in the sky. Therefore, hunger was often a problem.

Across the United States different Native American tribes had different names for the Snow Moon, including:

• Shoulder to Shoulder Around the Fire Moon -Wishram people of the Pacific Northwest
• No Snow in the Trails Moon – Zuni, of the Southwest
• Bone Moon – Cherokee, of the Southeast
• Out of Food Moon – Kalapuya tribe of the Pacific Northwest

The name Bone Moon commemorates the fact that there was no food left so that the tribe members would chew on bones. They also held a special ceremony where they worshiped their dead ancestors.

After the first settlers arrived, February’s full moon was often referred to as Trapper’s Moon. Their economy often revolved around trapping beavers, rabbits and other small animals and selling their pelts. Since February was so cold and snowy, the animal’s pelt was often thicker. Therefore, they could get a larger price for it.

In Canada, February’s full moon is often called the Blinding Snow Moon because the winds are most likely to whip up a blizzard during the month than at any other time of the year.

Last Moon of Meteorological Winter

You may want to celebrate the Snow Moon. It is the last moon of the meteorological winter, which runs from December 1 to March 1. Meteorological winter is different than the dates used for winter under the official system used in North America. The meteorological winter is based on the earth’s tilt towards or away from the sun. During the winter, North America is tilted further away from the sun than during the summer months.

Moon Names Throughout the Year

Throughout the year, different moons are given different names. The date and the name for 2022 include:

• January – The Hungry Wolf Moon appeared on January 17. Like the Snow Moon, this moon is named for the lack of food.
• March – The Worm Moon will appear on March 18. This moon is named after the reappearance of earthworms.
• April – The Full Pink Moon will appear on April 16. This moon, which will also be the Paschal Full Moon, is named after the blooming wild ground phlox.
• May – The Full Flower Moon will appear on May 16. It is named after the abundance of blooming flowers everywhere. This moon will also total lunar eclipse in North America on May 16.
• June – The Full Strawberry Moon will appear on June 14. This moon is called the Rose Moon in Europe.
• July – The Full Buck Moon will appear on July 13. The biggest of 2022, this moon is named after the antlers that push out on deer heads.
• August – The Full Sturgeon Moon will appear on August 11 as it is when it is most likely you can catch sturgeon in the Great Lakes. This moon’s timing is poor because the Perseid meteor shower will occur on August 12.
• September – The Full Harvest Moon will appear on September 10. Thie moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox gets this name, and it is unusually early in 2022.
• October – The Full Hunter’s Moon will appear on October 9. It is named after the ease of hunting after fields have been cleared of their crops.
• November – The Full Beaver Moon will appear on November 8. This full moon may be named after the fact that beavers are busy preparing for winter.
• December – The Full Cold Moon will appear on December 7. This moon that is named after the month’s cold winter makes the highest arch across the sky.

Seeing a full moon on a clear night is not difficult, so go out and enjoy the sight

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