Full moons happen when orbits align to position the Earth between the Moon and the Sun.
The Moon goes through all of its phases in about 29.5 days, which means that each month has, on average, one full moon.
The Wolf Moon will be visible from Monday and will reach peak illumination at approximately 10:25pm.
So, what is the Wolf Moon and what are the best ways to try and catch a glimpse of it?
What is the Wolf Moon?
The Wolf Moon is the name given to the first full moon in January. It will be the first full moon of 2025, so it’s not one to miss.
The Wolf Moon gets its name from Native American tribes, who often heard wolves howling during the cold winter nights, when the animals are more active.
This name eventually made its way across the Atlantic to Europe, where it was adopted by medieval settlers.
Other names for the January full moon include the Old Moon and the Ice Moon, both reflecting the frozen landscape of the season.
With each month on average having one full moon, it marks the occasion whereby the moon appears fully illuminated from Earth’s perspective and occurs when Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon.
Winter is known to be the best season for stargazing in the UK, due to the longer dark nights and clearer skies with less haze on colder nights.
Top tips to see the Wolf Moon
Here are Parkdean Resort’s top tips for stargazing:
Get up high
The further up you are, the better your chance of a clear sky to see the stars. Take a hike and explore the surroundings to find the perfect stargazing spot! The further you are away from light pollution the better chance you’ll have of seeing the stars. Moons always rise in the east and set in the west – so follow this direction in your search.
Research what you’re looking at
Enhance the stargazing experience and download the Star Chart app, free on AR-enabled Apple or Android devices. Star Chart allows you to point the camera at the sky and will tell you exactly what is up there.
Use the Time and Date website for the best chance of spotting the planets!
Time and Date allows you to input your location, before generating information about when the planets are most visible! With lots of helpful information about what’s in the universe, this is a great way to educate the family about the wonders of space.