What is a Snow Moon 2020?

The Snow Moon: More Than Just a Pretty Face in the February Sky

Ever looked up at the full moon in February and wondered what makes it so special? Well, it’s often called the Snow Moon, and there’s a good reason for that. Think blizzards, snowdrifts, and that crisp, cold air – February in the Northern Hemisphere is usually blanketed in snow, and the name just stuck. For anyone who loves stargazing or feels connected to the changing seasons, the Snow Moon is a real highlight.

Where Did That Name Come From, Anyway?

The name “Snow Moon” isn’t some modern invention. It’s got history! Back in the day, Native American tribes kept track of the year by giving each full moon a different name. It was their way of marking the seasons, like a lunar calendar. These names were often inspired by what was happening in nature or what people were doing at that time of year. And guess what? The name wasn’t just for a single night; it applied to the whole lunar month! Later on, early American colonists started using some of these names too, blending them into their own way of keeping time.

I remember reading somewhere that the Maine Farmer’s Almanac started publishing these “Indian” names for the full moons way back in the 1930s. Apparently, tribes in the northeastern U.S. figured “Snow Moon” or “Storm Moon” was fitting, considering all the snow they were getting in February.

But “Snow Moon” isn’t the only name floating around. You might also hear it called the Hunger Moon. That one paints a pretty clear picture, doesn’t it? Imagine trying to hunt when everything’s buried under snow – food was scarce, making it a tough time of year. Bone Moon, Storm Moon, and even Sucker Fish Moon are a few others I’ve stumbled across.

The Snow Moon in 2020: A Little Extra Special?

Now, let’s talk about 2020. The Snow Moon that year reached its peak on February 9th. What made it interesting was some people considered it a supermoon! You see, the Moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle; it’s more like an oval. So, sometimes the Moon is closer to Earth than at other times. When a full moon happens when the Moon is closest to us (that’s called perigee), it looks bigger and brighter. That’s what folks call a Supermoon.

More Than Just a Pretty Sight

The Snow Moon is more than just something pretty to look at in the sky. Back in the day, it was a reminder of how harsh winter could be. It was a signal to conserve what you had and hunker down.

Even now, the Snow Moon can make you stop and think. It’s a good time to appreciate nature and remember that we’re all connected to it. I like to think of it as a chance to shake off the winter blues and start thinking about what I want to accomplish in the coming year – a little nudge to get those plans in motion.