Snow Moon 2023: when is the next full moon, why is it called ‘Snow Moon’ and best time to see it in London

The second full moon of the year, known as the Snow Moon, is nearly here to light up the skies across the UK. The last full moon, known as the Wolf Moon, peaked on January 6 and there are many more set to take place this year for enthusiastic ‘moon-gazers’

According to Royal Museums Greenwich, 2023 will see two lunar eclipses and four ‘supermoons’,  making for an exciting year. Each lunar cycle lasts just over 29.5 days, which means that the full moon takes place on a different date each month.

But when will the Snow Moon take place in 2023 and what is the best time to see it in London? Here’s everything you need to know.

When will the next full moon take place in 2023?

The Snow Moon will take place on the evening of Sunday, February 5, this year. According to  EarthSky, the full moon will appear near Regulus, which is the brightest star in the constellation Leo.

Why is it called ‘Snow Moon’?

The Snow Moon is so called as Native Americans reportedly nicknamed full moons to reflect events that occur in nature. Snowfall is associated with the month of February, leading the full moon to be called the Snow Moon.

What is the best time to see the Snow Moon in London?

The best time to catch the Snow Moon in London on February 5 is at 6.28pm, shortly after sunset. The visibility of the full moon will be dependent on the weather but if you wish to see the Snow Moon in all its glory, there will be a virtual streaming of the Snow Moon rising over Rome broadcast by The Virtual Telescope Project.