This weekend, look up for February’s full moon! It’s a special sight, especially with four astronauts gearing up for a remarkable journey to the moon.
The full moon peaks at 5:09 p.m. ET on Sunday. It will be low in the eastern sky, just as the sun sets. You can also catch it looking full on Saturday and Monday, according to Noah Petro from NASA.
February’s full moon is called the “snow moon” because of the heavy snowfalls seen this time of year in parts of North America. Indigenous tribes have their names for it too. For instance, the Comanche refer to it as the “sleet moon,” while the Creek tribe calls it the “wind moon.”
With NASA’s Artemis II mission set to launch soon, this is a perfect time for skywatchers to explore the moon. Petro encourages everyone to appreciate the moon’s geography. He advises us to observe it during its full phase, but also to watch its other phases to better understand its features.
If you have a telescope, use it! You’ll see interesting details like craters up close. Even without one, you can still spot lighter and darker areas on its surface.
Exciting news for moon enthusiasts: supermoons will light up the night sky in November and December. These moons are brighter because they’re closer to Earth in their orbits. On average, the moon is about 238,900 miles (384,472 km) away from us. But expect December’s supermoon to come within 221,667 miles (356,740 km) of Earth, making it the closest and brightest full moon of the year.
Here’s a look at the full moons coming up in 2026:
- March 3: Worm Moon
- April 1: Pink Moon
- May 1: Flower Moon
- May 31: Blue Moon
- June 29: Strawberry Moon
- July 29: Buck Moon
- August 28: Sturgeon Moon
- September 26: Harvest Moon
- October 26: Hunter’s Moon
- November 24: Beaver Moon
- December 23: Cold Moon
For those keen on lunar phenomena, mark your calendars! A total lunar eclipse will showcase a beautiful sight on March 3, visible from Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. During a lunar eclipse, the sun, Earth, and moon align, allowing Earth’s shadow to darken the moon. It won’t completely vanish; instead, it may take on a red hue, often called a “blood moon.”
This occurs because as sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, it scatters blue light and leaves red light to illuminate the moon. Depending on local weather conditions, its color could vary from rusty to brick-red.
Additionally, the year will also bring a partial lunar eclipse visible in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia from August 27 to 28. Here, only part of the moon will slip into Earth’s shadow, creating a unique view.
Stay updated on these celestial events by checking verified sources like Time and Date to pinpoint when and where to catch them.
