INDIANA – The first full moon of the new year, January’s Wolf Moon, rises on Friday (Jan. 6). At the same time, the moon will be on the far side of Earth and at its furthest from the sun, making it a “micromoon,” the opposite of a supermoon.
Why the Wolf Moon? The full moon names used by the Almanac are from Native and Colonial American, as well as European, lore. It’s thought that January’s full moon was thus named because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. Wolves howl to communicate with their pack and protect their territory. It is thought that a Wolf Moon offers us greater opportunities for deep self-reflection.
The full moon will rise around dusk and will set around dawn, meaning the Wolf Moon will be visible for most of the night.
At the time of the Wolf Moon, the moon will be in the Gemini constellation with a right ascension of 07h12m00s and declination 27°00’N.
