The calendar year brings people fascinating moons, meteor showers, and other unbelievable heavenly happenings; not often, however, do three separate occasions occur on one night. Yet, incredibly, that is the thing that everybody can expect in only a couple days: The Snow Moon, a penumbral lunar eclipse, and a comet will be noticeable at the same time tonight making it an Instagram-commendable night you'll want to get outside for.
This will be 2017's second full moon (the initially occurred on Jan. 12); it'll rise at 5:18 p.m. EST, peak at 7:33 p.m., and set at 6:33 a.m, giving everyone loads of time for moon-looking. February's full moon was nicknamed the Snow Moon since this is normally the month with the heaviest snowfall. Fun certainty: Native Americans also called it the Hunger Moon, since it makes hunting so troublesome.
According to Cosmopolitan, this sort of eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in right around a splendidly straight line. The Earth obstructs a portion of the daylight from hitting the moon's surface (which is the thing that makes the moon sparkle), and part of the moon is covered in shadow - the penumbra.
February's penumbral lunar eclipse begins at 5:34 p.m. EST, crests at 7:43 p.m., and finishes at 9:53 p.m. Friday. It will be visible from Europe, Africa, and a large portion of Asia and North America, as per Snopes.
It's actual that hanging out outside during the evening in this cold climate may not be the focus of everyone's mind; for the majority, the temperatures are freezing during the day and much colder once the Sun sets.
However, it's occasionally the simplest details in life that leave a lasting effect. Set aside a few minutes tonight for a bit of stargazing. Everyone will love it.