'Micromoon' visible in the sky Friday night
Sky watchers will be treated to a special full moon Friday night called a 'micromoon'.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sky watchers will be treated to a special full moon Friday night called a 'micromoon'.
A micromoon is a full moon that coincides with Earth's farthest point from the Moon in its orbit, called its apogee. This makes the moon appear smaller in the sky.
A micromoon is the opposite of a supermoon, when the Earth and Moon are at the closest point in their orbit. A micromoon appears 12-14% smaller than a supermoon and 6-7% smaller than a typical full moon.
In Central Texas, viewing conditions will be spectacular. Expect a mostly clear sky and low humidity, combining for great visibility. The micromoon rises in the northeastern sky at 5:51 p.m. Friday then sets in the western sky at 7:19 a.m. Saturday.
This February full moon is also called the Snow Moon, as this month often brings peak snowfall to the Northern Hemisphere.