Super Snow Moon 2019 will grace the skies on February 19. This Supermoon which will also be visible in India is the biggest and brightest winter full moon of the year. The moon appeared in the skies on Sunday night and will be there through Wednesday evening. During a Supermoon, the moon is at its perigee which means it is closest to the Earth. Hence, during the celestial event, the moon appears larger and brighter in the sky.

The peak of full moon occurs only for six hours and 50 minutes after perigee. The term supermoon is not astronomical but was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 to describe when the event of the moon being in 90 percent of its closest approach to the earth in any given orbit. Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse on January 20, 2019: Know What is Total Lunar Eclipse and Why is it Called Wolf Moon.

Super Snow Moon Timings and Where to Watch

The moon will be at its peak on Feb. 19, 2019, at 10:54 a.m. EST.  It is advisable to those planning to capture the Snow Moon to wait till moonrise (around 6 pm) as an optical illusion will make the moon appear larger to us as it is closer to the horizon. In India, Super Snow Moon will peak on February 19, 2019, at 21:23 pm. Using binoculars or a small telescope you can see it clearly. You can take photos during Monday night or on Tuesday during moonrise.

This full moon also falls in the middle of the first month of the Chinese calendar. Chinese Lantern Festival which is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month also falls on February 19 this year. It is the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

Watch the video below:

This moon is known by a variety of names including Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Sap Moon, Sugar Moon, Worm Moon, Lenten Moon, Snow Moon, Hunger Moon, a supermoon and the Chinese Lantern Festival. These different names have derived from various historical and geographical phenomenons and understanding of people in different regions of the world. The name Snow Moon or Hunger comes from the fact it snows in many regions resulting in scarcity of food during the appearance of this moon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2019 09:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).