Full Wolf Moon: what is its meaning, when and how to see it this January 2024

Like every beginning of the year, sky enthusiasts are already paying attention to the phenomena that will prevail in the astronomical calendar of this 2024.

And now, after the Quadrantid meteor shower that was observed most intensely in the Northern Hemisphere in early January, comes the first full Moon of the year to occupy the eastern sky. Thursday 25th.

Super star show Instagrammable and ideal to make it viral on the networks, luckily we will have the chance to enjoy this magnificent event simple view and from the balcony or terrace.

So as long as the weather is nice and the the night is clearall we have to do is focus on the sky with our cell phone and immortalize the image in a beautiful photo.

But, if we want to take the experience to a higher level, all we need is binoculars to observe the craters well-defined features of the lunar surface.

What is the Moon cycle like?

THE full moon It is an astronomical phenomenon also known as full moon and occurs when our planet is exactly between the Sun and the Moon.

Thanks to the fact that the Earth is positioned right between the Astro King and our natural satellite, the latter is light up completely.

THE lunar phases They are the apparent changes in the visible illuminated portion of the satellite generated by its change of position relative to our planet and the Sun.

The complete cycle, called lunationit spans 29.53 days.

the Moon passes in front of the new moon (New Moon); its visible illuminated portion gradually increases again during the phase quarter crescent; two weeks later, the full moon occurs (Full moon); and during the following two weeks, in last quarterdecreases again to start a new lunation.

What does the Full Wolf Moon mean?

Symbol of fertilitySince ancient times, the Moon has been the focus of attention of various cultures.

It is that by its nature and the effects that it provokes has always aroused enormous interest and indisputable interest mysticism around it. And even more so when it’s full.

So much so that month after month they assigned him a first name depending on the characteristics of the climate.

Second National Geographicthis was called the Full Moon “Wolf Moon” by Native Americans in the United States, because during the time of year it occurred, the howls of wolves outside the villages increased the most.

Since in this case it occurs in the middle of winter (in the Northern Hemisphere), this Full Moon is also known as Ice Moon or Old Moon.

For the different names that this satellite receives from Earth, there are no scientific explanations.

They were simply called that come on Algonquins -a group of indigenous peoples from the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico- who named them based on agricultural, cultural, or climatic events at the time.

He The Old Farmer’s Almanac began to publish the names of full moons In the 1930.