The second full moon of 2024—the “Snow Moon”—will grace the early evening skies this coming week as it rises in the east just as the sun sets in the west.
The farthest from Earth in 2024—technically called an apogee full moon—the “Snow Moon” will be the year’s smallest full moon.
Named the “Snow Moon”—but also the “Hungry Moon” and the “Storm Moon”—here’s everything you need to know about it, including exactly when, where and how to see it at its best from where you are:
When Is The ‘Snow Moon?’
The “Snow Moon” will turn full at 12:30 UTC/7:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, February 24, and the best time to watch it rise will be dusk later that day.
Best Time To See The Full ‘Snow Moon’
A full moon looks best when it appears on the eastern horizon just after the sun has set in the west. It will now look more prominent than usual and be a beautiful, muted orange. The best time to view it will be moonrise where you are on Saturday, February 24.
Saturday, February 24
- In New York, sunset is at 5:40 p.m. EST, and moonrise is at 5:56 p.m.EST (the moment of full moon is at 7:32 a.m. EST).
- In Los Angeles, sunset is at 5:44 p.m. PST, and moonrise is at 6:08 p.m. PST (the moment of full moon is at 4:32 a.m. PST).
- In London, sunset is at 5:30 p.m. GMT, and moonrise is at 5:29 p.m. GMT (the moment of full moon is at 12:32 p.m. GMT).
How To See The Full ‘Snow Moon’
Get somewhere high up that faces east, or visit an east-facing coast, both of which will give you a clear view of the horizon—and the best views of the “Snow Moon,” clear skies allowing. Unaided eyes are perfect, though a pair of binoculars will give you a stunning close-up.
Why The ‘Snow Moon’ Will Look Orange
The full moon will look its biggest and best as it appears on the eastern horizon during dusk. For about 15-20 minutes, it will appear orange. That’s because you’re looking at it through the densest part of Earth’s atmosphere.
Long-wavelength red and orange light travels more easily through the atmosphere than short-wavelength blue light, which strikes more particles and gets scattered. The same physics (Raleigh scattering) explains why a sunset also looks orange.
When Is The Next Full Moon?
The next full moon after the “Snow Moon” will be the full “Worm Moon” at 7:00 UTC/3:00 a.m. EST on Monday, March 25)—the third full moon of 2024 and the first of spring in the northern hemisphere. It will be a slight penumbral lunar eclipse for the night side of Earth, including North and South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
I’m an expert on the night sky and author of Stargazing In 2024: 50 Easy Things To See In The Night Sky From North America. For the very latest on sky events and the total solar eclipse please subscribe or check my main feed regularly for new articles.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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