The Super Snow Moon: A Celestial Spectacle
The biggest and brightest full moon of the year was on display Tuesday night for sky-watchers around the world.
This evening (19 February) will see the sky illuminated with a “super snow moon” – a term that signifies both the February full moon, commonly known as the snow moon, and its status as a supermoon. During this event, the moon appears approximately 10% larger than usual as it orbits closer to Earth.
When this month’s full moon reaches its peak, it is anticipated to be the brightest and largest of the year, according to NASA. The moon will appear largest when it is near the horizon during rising and setting—a phenomenon often captured beautifully during supermoons. However, it is important to note that this appearance is an optical illusion caused by the moon’s proximity to recognizable objects, such as buildings.
The second supermoon of 2019 will be visible on Tuesday night — but what *is* a supermoon, exactly? 💪🌕 @NASA astronomer Mitzi Adams explains >> https://t.co/D5TDh3Hi0U pic.twitter.com/Db2PkOmeyW
— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) February 16, 2019
This marks the second supermoon of the year. Earlier, on 21 January, sky-watchers were treated to the mesmerizing “super blood wolf moon eclipse”—an extraordinary event that combined a full moon, wolf moon, supermoon, and total lunar eclipse. That night, the sky was transformed with a stunning red hue that was visible across North and South America.
For those concerned about cloudy skies during tonight’s stargazing, there’s no need to fret. This won’t be the last supermoon of the year; the next and final one will occur in March.
If you’re passionate about stargazing, you’re not alone—iBestTravel recognizes dark skies and stargazing as one of the top travel trends for 2019. Explore all the remarkable destinations worldwide for experiencing the night sky.
