Once every 19 years: in February, Ukrainians will be able to observe the Snow Moon

February, the last month of winter, is the time to witness a fascinating astronomical phenomenon, the Snow Moon. This full moon combines both challenging circumstances and opportunities, and its appearance in the constellation Leo will be especially impressive.

The second full moon of the year, known as the Snow Moon, was named by the indigenous peoples of North America because February is traditionally considered the month of the heaviest snowfall.

The harshness of the survival conditions in the harsh climate has led many tribes also to call this full moon the Hungry Moon. In other cultures, the February Moon has its own unique names associated with natural cycles and life habits:

The Chinese have the Flower Moon.

The Celts have the Ice Moon.

The Haida people of Alaska have the Goose Moon.

In the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed, the February full moon also has its own names, such as the Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Red Moon, or Dog Moon.

Interestingly, the February full moon does not always occur, since the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days long. This rare event, called a Black Moon, occurs once every 19 years. The last such event occurred in 2018, and the next one is expected in 2037.