The Wolf Moon marks the first full moon of 2025, featuring rare celestial events like Mars’ occultation and a bright comet sighting.
San Francisco: As we kick off 2025, the first full moon is here, and it’s a big deal! This full moon, known as the Wolf Moon, is the last of four supermoons. It’s not just pretty; it’s packed with excitement.
So, why the name “Wolf Moon”? Well, it’s said that during the cold, dark nights of January, you could hear wolves howling. It’s a fun name, but experts say it’s more about wolves being active at night than anything to do with the moon.
On January 13, 2025, the moon will be shining bright over Montagne Sainte-Victoire in France. But here’s the twist: while the wolves are howling, the moon will also cover Mars for a bit. This event, called lunar occultation, is pretty rare and will last until Thursday.
Now, don’t worry—Mars won’t vanish! It’s just playing hide-and-seek behind the moon. You’ll still be able to see both if you’re in a city with lots of lights. Just cover the moon with your thumb to get a better view of Mars.
For the best experience, grab some binoculars or a small telescope. Both the moon and Mars will be super bright, competing for your attention. And guess what? Mars will be at its brightest on Thursday when it reaches opposition, sitting directly opposite the sun.
But that’s not all! There’s also a comet, C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), making an appearance. It’s a rare sight, with an orbit of about 160,000 years. It’ll be near Sagittarius, and while it might be visible to the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope will help you catch a better glimpse.
So, mark your calendars and get ready for some amazing celestial shows this January!
