Snow moon shines through the clouds for Bolton stargazers

Snow Moon (Image: Amy Nolan-Podmore)

Among them were members of Bolton Camera Club who, despite the stubbornly overcast skies, waited patiently for a glimpse.

Their perseverance paid off; when the moon finally broke through the cloud cover, the celestial spectacle was breath-taking to see.

Snow moon (Image: Amy Nolan-Podmore)

The Snow Moon is the traditional name for the full moon that appears in February.

February’s full moon was called the Snow Moon because heavy snowfall was common during this month in many parts of North America.

Snow Moon (Image: Amy Nolan-Podmore)

It can also be called a Storm Moon, because of storms likely at this time of year, or Hunger Moon, because food was historically scarce in late winter

When will the Snow Moon be visible tonight?

The Snow Moon will be most visible at 10.09pm tonight, based on the Royal Observatory’s location in London.

While seeing it in the sky could be an incredible experience, it’s advised that you watch the Moon as it climbs.

Snow Moon (Image: Wayne Bungay)

How to see a full Moon

BBC Sky At Night Magazine explains that “many astronomers will tell you not to bother trying to observe the full Moon, as it’s best seen during the crescent and gibbous phases.”

But, if you’re excited to see a full Moon, it’s suggested you go to an observing site on a clear night.

Tips for night sky photos on your phone

The magazine suggests: “It’s all too easy to take the rising full Moon for granted, only stopping to watch if you glimpse it inadvertently rather than treating it as a celestial event in its own right.

“Yet if you can get to an observing site with an unobstructed horizon on a clear evening, there are many fascinating phenomena to catch sight of as the Moon climbs.”

When it comes to photographing a planet on a phone, the magazine adds: “If you want to record the planets as more than just dots, point your phone’s camera down the pre-focused eyepiece of a telescope.

“Known as afocal imaging, this takes a bit of practice and a steady hand!”

When is the next full Moon and when was the last?

The last full Moon was the Wolf Moon on Saturday, January 3.

After the Snow Moon, you can look forward to seeing the Worm Moon, which is a name given to it by Native Americans.

It’s named “after the worm trails that would appear in the newly thawed ground”.

However, it can also be called a few different names.