Moonrise and moonset generally occur around sunset and sunrise.
Moon phase times in your location
We often say that the Full Moon does the opposite of the Sun. In February, it will be up for more than 12 hours in the Northern Hemisphere, while it will be up for less than 12 hours in the Southern Hemisphere.
February’s Moon Phase Times
| Moon Phase | Date | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First Quarter | February 5 | 08:02 UTC |
|
Full Moon | February 12 | 13:53 UTC |
|
Third Quarter | February 20 | 17:32 UTC |
|
New Moon | February 28 | 00:44 UTC |
Moon phase times in your location
Moon phases are divided into primary and intermediate: Primary Moon phases happen at a specific moment in time, while the intermediate Moon phases occupy the times in between.
Planets Near the Moon
February offers a unique opportunity to observe Venus, Saturn, and Mars close to the Moon. These planets are easy to spot next to the Moon with the naked eye.
- Around February 1: Look to the west shortly after sunset, and you’ll spot Venus close to a young Crescent Moon. Saturn will also be close by.
- Around February 9: Look up to find Mars very close to the Waxing Gibbous Moon. The orientation of the planets and the Moon vary slightly depending on your location on Earth.
Explore the Moon in our Night Sky Map: Use the slider and calendar to view the Moon rise and set, and constellations, stars, and planets near the Moon.
The Full Moon in February is the Snow Moon
February’s Full Moon is known as the Snow Moon and is named after the abundant snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere this time of year.
The Full Moon in February is also known as the Hungry Moon, Bear Moon, Storm Moon, and Ice Moon. Traditional Moon names originate from Native American, Colonial American, and European sources.