See Tonight full moon of 2024, known as the Wolf Moon
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| (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night) |
Can be observed by keen stargazers. To catch a glimpse of this celestial spectacle, it is essential to know the precise time and location.
In its monthly skywatching guide, NASA advises individuals to prepare themselves for the chilly weather and seize the opportunity presented by the early sunsets to appreciate and share the marvels of the night sky.
The names given to full moons are derived from the seasons, historical crops, and the behavior of animals. The Wolf Moon, the name given to this month's full moon, is believed to have originated from the frequent howling of wolves in January, as stated in the Old Farmer's Almanac.
In addition to being called the Wolf Moon, January's full moon is also referred to as the Center Moon, as it approximately signifies the midpoint of the cold season. Other traditional names for January's full moon include Cold Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, Freeze Up Moon, Severe Moon, and Hard Moon.
The moon will be observable throughout the entirety of tonight, emerging in the eastern direction precisely as the sun descends in the western horizon. This occurrence transpires due to the direct opposition of the sun and the moon during full moons, with a separation of 180 degrees across the ecliptic, which represents the imaginary trajectory followed by the sun during its journey across the celestial sphere. Earth is situated at the midpoint of this distance.
Eyes up tonight for the first full moon of 2024: the Wolf Moon! 🌕 Scientists believe that the Moon’s origin can be traced back 4.5 billion years ago after a very large asteroid collided with Earth. The impact debris clumped together to form our natural satellite.
📷: NASA pic.twitter.com/G1vUwTdkI5
Despite the potential hindrance of inclement weather for skywatchers, the Full Wolf Moon can still be enjoyed online through a complimentary livestream provided by astronomer Gianluca Masi of The Virtual Telescope Project. This allows individuals in areas with cloudy nights to witness the celestial event. The webcast is scheduled to commence at 3:30 p.m. EST (2030 GMT) on Thursday (Jan. 25). It is important to bear in mind that the livestream is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled if the filming location does not provide optimal viewing conditions.
After tonight's Full Wolf Moon, the illuminated part of the moon's face will gradually decrease, or wane, as it approaches the upcoming new moon phase on February 9, 2024.
The new moon in February signifies the start of a new lunar year, a significant occasion celebrated by various cultures worldwide. In China, this full moon is known as the "preserved moon," symbolizing the preservation of food for the spring festival during the lunar new year.
Among the Cree peoples of North America, it is referred to as the "Frost Exploding Moon." Similarly, the Ojibwe people of southern Canada and the northern Midwestern United States call it Mnido Giizis, or the "Spirit Moon." Additionally, in certain cultures, January's full moon is called the Wolf Moon because historically, Europeans and Colonial Americans would hear wolves howling outside their villages during this time of the year.
If you are interested in observing the upcoming full moon in detail, we recommend checking out our comprehensive guides on the best telescopes, telescopes suitable for kids, and the best binoculars. Don't forget to consider using moon filters as well!
Furthermore, we have a guide available on how to capture stunning photographs of the moon. Additionally, you can explore our curated lists of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography to help you prepare for the next lunar event.
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