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January’s spectacular full moon, also known as the Wolf Moon, will be visible in the UK on Friday 6th January 2023, at 11.07pm GMT.
The full moon is in the middle of its waxing and waning process.
“We see it as a perfect orbit because the entire side of the Moon in front of the Earth is illuminated by the Sun’s rays,” explains Royal Museums Greenwich.
The Wolf Moon is the first full moon of the new year, so it’s definitely one to watch.
Why is January’s full moon called the Wolf Moon?
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, it is believed that the January moon was named the Wolf Moon because in some countries it was common to hear wolves howl at this time of year. It was believed that, in January, wolves howled because they were hungry and it was difficult for them to hunt in winter. Now, it is known that wolves howl for various reasons.
January’s full moon is also known as the moon after Yule. This follows the December Moon, (Cold Moon), also known as the Moon Before Yule. This is based on the winter solstice on December 21st.
How can we see the December full moon?
As with any full moon or astrological sighting, it’s best to go to higher ground to see it in its full glory.
It is also advisable to avoid light pollution as much as possible, because the darker the sky, the brighter the moon and stars will shine.
Remember that the moon rises in the east and sets in the west and this moon will be complete at 11.07pm GTM.
When will the next full moon be?
According to the calendar, the next full moon will be in February. It will be at its brightest and peak illumination on Sunday 5th February, at 6.28pm GMT. This moon is known as snow moon.
How many full moons do we have in a year?
Every 29.5 days there is a full moon, which is the amount of time it takes for the moon to go through one full moon phase cycle.. This is roughly equivalent to one full moon per month, and therefore 12 per year. Although the calendar month and the phases of the moon are not on the same time scale, they are closely linked, so much so that the word ‘month’ derives its origin from the word ‘moon’.
Some years, however, are lucky enough to have 13 full moons, meaning some months have two. This phenomenon is known as a blue moon – the second full moon in the same month. The last time we had a blue moon was in October 2022.
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