What is a Wolf Moon and when can I see it in 2023?
THE first Full Moon of 2023 will be a Wolf Moon.
The mystical Full Moon comes with many meanings – but when can you see it?
Why is it called the Wolf Moon?
Full Moons happen when the Moon is situated on the opposite side of Earth to the Sun, which means its face can be fully illuminated.
The first Full Moon of 2023 is known as the Wolf Moon and it will peak in brightness on January 6, when the moon finds itself directly across from the Sun at a 180-degree angle.
In 2023, the Wolf Moon is a Micro Moon, which means it will appear unusually small.
This is because the Moon is close to apogee, the Moon’s farthest point from Earth.
The name Wolf Moon is associated with early Native American tribes who observed hungry wolves howling at the Moon outside their camps around the same time of year as this phenomenon.
Howling wolves prowled outside their villages in the winter months to communicate with each other, be it a warning or a signal to guide other wolves to a location or prey.
The Wolf Moon is on the cusps between the signs of Cancer and Gemini as it appears at the end of the week, and is occurring in the astrological sun sign season of Capricorn.
A combination of Cancer and Gemini means this Full Moon will help you connect with inner emotions and enhance communication and spontaneity.
What other names has the January Full Moon been given?
The lunar event is also referred to as the Moon After Yule and the Old Moon.
In 2020, it was spotted in the sky on January 10 and it was also a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Other Full Moons we will see in 2023 include the Snow Moon in February, a Worm Moon in March, Pink Moon in April and a Flower Moon in May.
June will see a Strawberry Moon, while July brings the Buck Moon and August has two full moons, the Sturgeon and Blue.
September, October and November welcome Harvest, Hunter’s and Beaver Moons respectively.
In the last month of 2023 we will be able to see a Cold Moon.
When is the Wolf Moon in 2023?
The Wolf Moon will be shining on January 6 – although it will still look big and bright for two or three nights around this date.
To spot the Wolf Moon at its fullest you should look for it on January 6.
It will occur in the US at 6.08pm Eastern Time, according to the US Naval Observatory.
Across the globe the time will vary, but space.com writes: “Observers in the British Isles and Portugal will see the moon become full at 11:08 p.m., while those in western continental Europe will see it at 12:08 a.m. Jan. 7.
“Pacific Time observers will see the moon become full at 3:08 p.m. – so the moment occurs well before moonrise – while those in eastern Asia and Western Australia (Seoul and Perth, for example) will see the moon officially full at 7:08 a.m. local time.”
As it gets higher it will appear smaller.