The first full Moon of the year reveals itself in all its splendor. Known as the “Winter Moon” or “Wolf Moon,” this celestial phenomenon is not to be missed.
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Every month, the full Moon returns, fascinating and disrupting the sleep of some.
This January 13, 2025, the “Winter Moon” will light up the sky. It will reach its peak of brightness at 11:27 p.m. According to Björn Voss, director of the Hamburg Planetarium, it is worth staying awake to admire this nocturnal spectacle as can be read on “wa.de”.
Initially, the moon will be visible near the star Pollux in the constellation Gemini, known to be the brightest in this constellation.
“We will be able to observe the moon brushing past Mars”
“As the hours pass, we will be able to observe the moon brushing past Mars,” explains Björn Voss. For those who prefer to go to bed early, it is still possible to enjoy this celestial spectacle: “No need to be a night owl not to miss the close encounter of these two celestial bodies. Even at 5 a.m. on January 14, when the moon and Mars will be at their closest, the spectacle is worth seeing, even two hours later, around 7 a.m..”
Why this name “Wolf Moon”?
In some cultures, the January full moon is also called the “Wolf Moon.” This name comes from the indigenous people of North America, who often heard wolves howling near their villages at this time of year, as explained by wetteronline.de, the online weather site.
In German-speaking countries, the first full Moon of the year was also called “Hartung”, derived from “Hartmond” (“hard moon”), due to the often frozen ground at this time. However, it is generally referred to as the “Winter Moon.”
The day belongs to the sun, the night to the moon. But sometimes the moon is visible even in broad daylight, due to its orbit.
The editor wrote this article using AI.
