The next full moon goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, the moon will light up the sky this week.
The next full moon is called the Snow Moon, but it is also called the Storm Moon, the Hunger Moon and the Moon of the Purim Holiday, according to NASA.
The names Snow Moon or Storm Moon were chosen because of the heavy snows that usually fall this month.
It also coincides with the Purim holiday on the Hebrew calendar, running from sunset Thursday through nightfall Friday.
Friday also is the Chinese Lantern Festival, marking the end of the Chinese New Year on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese Calendar.
For Buddhists, the February full moon comes with Māgha Pūjā, the second most important festival that is celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Sri Lanka, according to NASA.
This week also brings the Magha Purnima, or the last day of the month of Magha.
Along with the Snow Moon, a bright star will also shine. The pinpoint of light will be Regulus or the brightest star in Leo the Lion, according to EarthSky.
Here is the schedule for the rest of 2021′s full moons and what they are named, according to the Farmer’s Almanac:
| Date | Native American Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 27 | Snow Moon | 3:17 a.m. |
| March 28 | Worm Moon | 2:48 p.m. |
| April 26 | Pink Moon | 11:32 a.m. |
| May 26 | Flower Moon | 7:14 a.m. |
| June 24 | Strawberry Moon | 2:40 p.m. |
| July 23 | Buck Moon | 10:37 p.m. |
| Aug. 22 | Sturgeon Moon | 8:02 a.m. |
| Sept. 20 | Harvest Moon | 7:55 p.m. |
| Oct. 20 | Hunter’s Moon | 10:57 a.m. |
| Nov. 19 | Beaver Moon | 3:57 a.m. |
| Dec. 18 | Cold Moon | 11:35 p.m. |
Cox Media Group
