The first full moon of the year (and the new decade) is January’s Wolf Moon, and it’s going to be shining in the sky this week.
The nickname might conjure up thoughts of werewolves and other spooky scenes, but the nickname was actually bestowed by Native Americans based on wolf behavior this time of the year.
It’s the first of 13 full moons that will shine in the sky during 2020, and it will even be an eclipse in some parts of the world.
What is the best time to see the Wolf Moon?
The Wolf Moon will be truly full at 2:21 p.m. ET on Friday January 10, according to Space.com. Smack dab in the middle of the afternoon doesn’t exactly offer that brilliant, light-up-the-night shine, however. And viewers on the United States’ East Coast won’t be able to see the moon at that time of day anyway.
Moonrise in New York happens at approximately 4:45 p.m. on January 10 and sets at 8:07 on the 11th. Even though it will have already technically started waning, you’ll still see what looks like a totally full moon.
It may also be a good idea to take a look at the full moon on Thursday, January 9, since the show will be almost as spectacular less than 24 hours from peak fullness. The moon will rise at approximately 3:45 p.m. on January 9 and set at 7:12 a.m. on the 10th.
Saturday, January 11 is also a good viewing option. Moonrise is at 5:53 p.m. on January 11 and moonset is at 8:54 a.m. on Sunday.
Check timeanddate.com for local moonrise/moonset times. See when the weather will allow for optimal viewing.
Who can see the eclipse?
At peak full moon on Friday, a penumbral eclipse will partially shade about 90 percent of Moon for a bit more than four hours, but will be visible from Africa, Europe, Asia, Alaska and Australia, not the Northeast United States.
Sorry, North America. But don’t worry. There will be more opportunities to glimpse interesting lunar phenomena, such as supermoons, as the year goes on.
Why is it called the Wolf Moon?
The name of Wolf Moon comes from Native American cultures and a time when wolves were a top predator across North America. In the winter months, wolves could be heard howling near the edge of settlements and villages while they foraged for scraps and eyed the local livestock.
Traditionally, it was thought that the uptick in howling was due to hunger during the winter months, but the Old Farmers Almanac says wolves “generally howl to define territory, locate pack members, and gather for hunting.”
Some Native Americans also knew the January full moon as the Old Moon, acknowledging that while winter still held sway, the newness of spring was on the way; Ice Moon, because it comes when waterways are covered by ice; and the Snow Moon, because it coincides with a time of snow on the landscape.
When is the next full moon?
If you miss the Wolf Moon, or if overcast skies don’t allow for optimal viewing, you won’t have to wait long for another full moon. They come every 27 days, and February’s full moon will be visible on February 9.
» 13 full moons, including 2 supermoons and a blue moon, will be shining in 2020
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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