Smallest full Moon of the year rises on February 5; know all about the Snow 'micromoon'

smallest full Moon of year is out in night sky and will be shining bright despite being farr than usual. Named Sw Moon or Wolf Moon, celestial neighbour will be 14% smaller in size owing to its position around Earth in an elliptical orbit. Due to its far-off position from Earth, it is called a 'micromoon' but it will appear full and bright for next three days given wear conditions are clear. 

What's story behind name?

According to NASA, aforementioned names are Native American ones and became widely kwn after y started getting published in Maine Farmers' Almanac in 1930s. Almanac says that it was during this time in February when tribes of current rastern United States called this Sw Moon or Storm Moon because of heavy sw that falls in this season. This Moon was also called Hunger Moon because b wear and heavy swstorms me hunting difficult.

Supermoon vs micromoon

Moon, as we kw it, orbits Earth in an elliptical orbit, which is basically a stretched circle. This stretched orbit causes a variation in distance between Moon and Earth when former is at apogee (farst point) and perigee (closest point). According to NASA, perigee is an aver distance of about 3,63,300 kilometers from Earth whereas Moon is at 4,05,500 kilometers from Earth at apogee. When a full moon appears at perigee, it is slightly brighter and larger than a regular full moon – and that's when it is called a "supermoon".

Apart from micromoon, planets namely Jupiter, Mars, and Venus will also grace skies and will be visible to unaided eye. NASA says that planets Venus and Mars will appear next to each or and will be visible throughout month of February.