Observing the Rise of the 'Snow Moon' to Pave the Way for a 'Blood Moon' Eclipse in Photos
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Snow Moon graced the evening sky, casting a breathtaking spectacle for stargazers worldwide. As twilight descended, horizon-dwellers were treated to an enchanting sight – the lunar surface bathed in a golden glow, tinged with hints of orange. This phenomenon occurs due to the scattering of blue light, which makes objects that appear close to the horizon appear warmer, often in a rich red or orange hue.
This captivating sight shared the horizon with a radiant star – Regulus, the "Heart of the Lion," from Europe's perspective. For North American viewers, Regulus appeared on the right side of the full moon. Some cultures hold the Snow Moon in high regard, associating it with snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere and celebrating its significance.
For instance, in the Chinese Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Snake, the Snow Moon signals the beginning of the 15-day-long Lantern Festival. During this joyous occasion, families gather to enjoy sweet glutinous rice balls called tangyuan and illuminate the night with fragile lanterns.
The Snow Moon's aftermath unfolds as the new moon emerges on February 28, 2025. This new moon serves as a precursor to the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic faith, which might begin on February 28 or March 1, 2025. Ramadan is an essential observance in the Islamic calendar, signaled by the first sighting of a crescent moon.
As the month unfolds, the night sky continues to enthrall viewers with the mesmerizing brilliance of the planet Venus. On February 16, the planet will grace the western sky just after sunset, reaching its peak brilliance during this period. Venus, often called the "Evening Star," is currently closer to Earth than usual, imparting an otherworldly luster to its now-larger disc.
However, despite its largeness, Venus appears slim due to the limited portion of its surface illuminated by the sun from Earth's vantage point. The subsequent full moon, dubbed the Worm Moon, will rise on March 14, 2025. This full moon, the final full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, will also mark the first total lunar eclipse since November 2022. Under the Earth's shadow, the moon will exhibit eerie shades of orange and red, casting an extraordinary display that promises to be the outstanding celestial event of 2025.
As you gaze up at the night sky, allow the glow of the Snow Moon and the celestial events that unfold to captivate your senses and inspire your curiosity.
Additional Insights:
- Native American tribes have diverse names for the Snow Moon, such as the Comanche's "sleet moon" and the Wishram's "shoulder to shoulder around the fire" moon[1][2].
- In addition to the Snow Moon's prominent celestial alignment with four planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, the Moon will also exhibit a vibrant red hue during the total lunar eclipse event[3].
- The Snow Moon's appearance marks the end of solar winter, welcoming the retreat of winter and heralding the approach of spring[4].
[1] www.space.com[2] www.nature.com[3] www.eapli.eu[4] www.nationalgeographic.com[5] www.timeanddate.com
The captivating red hue of the Snow Moon on February 12, 2025, is due to the scattering of blue light, making the moon appear warmer and often tinged in red or orange. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable as the moon approaches the horizon.
The Snow Moon's enchanting display shares the horizon with Regulus, the "Heart of the Lion," from a European perspective, while North Americans will see Regulus on the right side of the full moon.
The Chinese New Year, falling on either February 28 or March 1, 2025, marks the start of the Year of the Snake. This year, the Snow Moon signals the beginning of the 15-day-long Lantern Festival, where families celebrate with sweet glutinous rice balls and illuminated lanterns.
The Snow Moon's departure marks the approaches of the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic faith, which might begin on February 28 or March 1, 2025.
The Worm Moon, the final full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, will rise on March 14, 2025. This full moon will also mark the first total lunar eclipse since November 2022, dubbed the "Blood Moon," due to its reddish color.
This total lunar eclipse in 2025 will be the outstanding celestial event, as the moon will exhibit eerie shades of orange and red under the Earth's shadow.
Furthermore, the Snow Moon is also aligned with four planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, making this moon a noteworthy event in stargazing calendars.
