Last night, on January 13, 2025, sky-gazers could spot the Red Planet Mars next to the full Moon, known as the Wolf Moon, in a rare celestial alignment. The Wolf Moon is the first full Moon of the year and gets its name from the wolves’ activity during winter.
This alignment occurred when Mars was approaching opposition on January 16, making it visible in the southeastern sky around midnight. Observers in the USA may have seen Mars disappear behind the Moon in an event known as a lunar occultation of Mars.
The Wolf Moon’s nickname reflects the idea that wolves are active during winter, and the sound of howling wolves on full moon nights led to its adoption. However, this doesn’t mean the January full Moon will look or act any differently than others.
A great time to observe Mars is in January 2025 due to dark winter skies and long evenings. From January 12-16, stargazers can get a closer look at Mars through telescopes and enjoy its features. Even after opposition ends, Mars remains bright and visible for the rest of the month.
On January 13, Mars was initially below and to the left of the Moon but eventually moved to the south as the night progressed. Observers could notice this shift in perspective due to the Earth’s viewpoint from space. As the evening drew on, Mars moved above and to the right of the Moon, with both bodies slowly moving apart.
For more information on observing Mars and the next full Moon alignment, read our guide detailing when the next full Moon is visible. Share your experiences or images of the celestial alignment by emailing us at [email protected].
Source: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/mars-wolf-moon-2025