🌎 How does a leap year work?

An illustration comparing a Supermoon to a Micromoon. A Supermoon appears 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a Micromoon.

Micro Snow Moon in the Night Sky

This month's Full Moon on February 24 is known as the Snow Moon. It's also near its farthest point from Earth—apogee—making it a Micro Snow Moon.

A Micro Full Moon's angular size is 12.5%–14.1% smaller than a Super Full Moon, and 5.9%–6.9% smaller than an average Full Moon.

What is a Micro Moon?

Vector illustration showing the difference between a tropical, common and leap year.

Here! Have Another Day in 2024

This February, an extra day—an intercalary day—is added to our calendar. Leap days align our calendar with Earth's revolutions around the Sun.

How do leap years actually work?

Body of water with hills in the background at twilight, with a clear sky on the left and a dark, cloudy sky on the right.

©iStockphoto.com/MEGiordano_Photography

What Is the Equilux, and When Is It?

Twice a year, at most locations on Earth, day and night reach a perfect balance of 12 hours each. This creates a little-known event called the equilux.

You may think this date happens at the March or September equinox. However, there's a subtle difference between equilux and equinox, and it depends on your latitude.

When is your equilux?