Kentucky stargazers can witness a rare alignment this week, with the full “snow” moon peaking over the state and a very bright planet visible in the night sky. February’s full moon is called the snow moon because it occurs during the month that can be the snowiest of the year, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
The snow moon will reach its peak on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8:53 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Due to daytime temperatures ranging from 22°F to 51°F and potential rain showers, it’s recommended to observe the moon the night before. Weather forecasts predict a chance of snow on Monday night and Tuesday.
As daylight saving time approaches, Kentucky residents will experience longer days in March. The Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club is hosting stargazing events at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on March 29 (weather permitting) and Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill on April 19.
Venus will shine exceptionally bright this month, with NASA stating it will be visible “at its brightest for the year” until early March. Unlike the moon, Venus appears brighter when in its crescent phase rather than at full.
Following the snow moon, stargazers can look forward to nine more full moons in 2025, including notable names such as the Worm moon, Flower moon, and Corn moon. A meteor shower event is also expected, with the Lyrid shower occurring from April 16 to 25 and peaking on Tuesday, April 22.
Kentucky stargazers recently had a chance to observe a “planet parade” featuring Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars in January. If you have questions about Kentucky’s weather or environment, feel free to reach out to the Herald-Leader at [email protected] or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.
Source: https://www.kentucky.com/news/weather-news/article299796984.html