Tonight, February 12, the sky will be adorned with the spectacular “Snow Moon,” an ancestral name that the indigenous peoples of North America used to designate the full moon of this month.
According to Julieta Fierro, a researcher at the UNAM Institute of Astronomy, this name is due to the close relationship between moonlight and the winter season, when heavy snowfall transforms the landscape.
For centuries, various cultures have used the lunar cycle—of approximately 29.5 days—to measure time and organize their activities, as well as religious practices and rituals.
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In the case of the peoples of the northeast and the great plains, the full moon of February not only marked the passage of time, but also illuminated the cold snowy landscapes in an extraordinary way, to the point of making reading possible under its glow.
In addition, this phenomenon has also been known as the “Hunger Moon” —due to the scarcity of food at the time— or the “Bear Moon,” in reference to the emergence of these animals from hibernation.
When will it be seen?
In the particular case of the full snow moon 2025, it will be fully visible during the night of Wednesday, February 12, reaching its maximum brightness during the afternoon.
From Chihuahua, sky watchers will be able to enjoy this spectacle from 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, until the moon sets around 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13.
It is worth remembering that, although in Mexico the seasons are defined more by periods of drought and rain, ancestral knowledge of the moon transcended borders. Cultures such as the Mayan and the Olmec, for example, recognized the importance of the lunar phases to plan crops and organize their calendars, thus evidencing the deep connection between humanity and our satellite.
Don’t miss the opportunity to live this unique experience and connect with an ancient tradition that continues to illuminate our nights.
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Source: oem
