The first full moon of 2025 called the ‘Wolf Moon’ seen near Mars rises in the sky during … [+]
Have you seen “Wolf Moon” in full eating Mars? The first full moon of 2025 rose on Monday, January 13 and, for observers in North America, blocked out the planet Mars for about an hour between 8:44 p.m. EST and 12:52 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 14.
Amazingly, the rare event – called an occultation by astronomers – happened just as Mars made its closest approach to Earth since December 2022. On Wednesday, January 15, the red planet will reach opposition, something that happens once every 26 months as Earth passes between Mars and the Sun.
Mars nears the end of its Full Wolf Moon as it rises above New York City during a moon … [+]
The opposition of Mars is the only time when 100% of the planet’s disk is illuminated by the sun, meaning that a “full Mars” was visible near the full moon during the rare occultation. It was seen disappearing (entry) and then reappearing (exit) from all over North America while in the constellation Gemini.
The moon rises in its full stage behind “The Guardian,” a 17-foot bronze statue. … [+]
Mars appeared fully illuminated and brighter than at any time since December 2022. At magnitude -1.4, it is currently one of the brightest objects in the sky, although it outshines Venus by about 25 to 1, which it is currently visible in the southwest. after sunset, shining at magnitude -4.3.
The full moon rises over the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires on January 13, 2025. (Photo by LUIS … [+]
Despite the spectacular view from Earth, it was all an illusion, a line-of-sight phenomenon caused by the moon crossing the ecliptic – the path of all the planets across the night sky – to hide the red planet from view.
The “Wolf Moon” as seen from Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
At the time of occultation, Mars was 59.7 million miles (96.1 million kilometers) from Earth, while the moon was 224,000 miles (360,000 kilometers). This made Mars approximately 266 times farther than the Moon. For perspective, if the moon were an hour’s drive away, Mars would be like driving for nearly 11 days non-stop at highway speeds.
The weather vane at St. Peter’s Church is photographed in front of the first full moon of the year … [+]
Despite its relatively distant distance, Mars will remain a prominent feature in the night sky throughout January and February.
Earlier on Monday, the nearly full moon was seen rising in the east, with Mars just below and to the left. Above Mars were two bright stars – Pollux and Castor in Gemini.
The “Wolf Moon” as seen from Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on January 13, 2025. (Photo by Soumyabrata … [+]
January’s full moon is called the Wolf Moon, but it’s also known as the Staying Home Moon, the Quiet Moon, and the Heavy Moon. The next full moon, the Snow Moon, will occur on February 12 at 1:52 PM UTC/8:52 AM EST. It will be the second full moon of winter and will shine brightly against the background of stars in the constellation of Leo.
I wish you clear skies and open eyes.
