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February ’s full moon , the endorsement of 2024 , will rise in a blaze of color and light this weekend — but do n’t expect a titan orb in the twilight sky . Thanks to orbital mechanics , the " Snow Moon " will be the smallest of the twelvemonth as it move up during crepuscle on Saturday ( Feb. 24 ) .

The exact opposite of a supermoon , this Snow Moon will turn full when our lifelike satellite ’s area is close to its farthest pointedness from Earth in its slightly elliptical monthly orbit .

A full moon rises in Chile�s Atacama Desert.

A full moon rises in Chile’s Atacama Desert.

Despite its smaller size of it , the Snow Moon , also known as the Hungry Moon , Storm Moon , Wolf Moon and Candles Moon , according toNASA , anticipate a breathtaking video display . Its appearance will point the start of the Lantern Festival , also called Shang Yuan or the Yuan Xiao Jie , which is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations .

Although it will technically turn full during the day in North America — at 7:30 a.m. EST — the in effect clock time to see it will be at moonrise after that day . you could find the exact time for your location using amoonrise and moonset reckoner .

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A lovely full moon glows behind cherry blossoms

Look for the Snow Moon rising in the east just after sunset on Saturday , when it will shine a deep Orange River color due to Earth ’s atmosphere . For the good view , find oneself a gamy spot facing east with a clear horizon . Unaided center are ideal for observe a full moonrise , butbinocularswill enable you to see craters and other features on the lunar surface . The moonshine will also appear promising and full on Friday and Sunday , as well .

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After the " Snow Moon , " the follow full moon will be the " Worm Moon " on March 25 , which will drift into Earth ’s darkness and make a slim penumbral lunar eclipse . That will put the moon in spatial relation to do atotal solar eclipse two week later on April 8 , which will be well seen within a narrow-minded 115 - mile - wide ( 185 kilometers)path of totalitystretching across northwesterly Mexico , 15 U.S. land and six Canadian responsibility .

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