This January 6 at night the first full moon of 2023 will arrive and this will be the best time to see it.
After 28 days of having witnessed the last full moon of 2022, the world will witness the first full moon of 2023. It will be the first of the northern winter and southern summer: The Wolf Moon.
Commonly, each full moon is named after a United States almanac. The Maine Farmer’s Almanac brings together the oral tradition of Native Americans who use different names to recognize the moon throughout the year. They were based on the elements of nature, temperature changes or the moments when they harvested.
However, due to its size, this moon is also called a Micromoon. This is because it will be at the furthest point from the earth and will appear smaller than normal.
In the specific case of this first full moon in January, it coincides with the longest and coldest nights of the year. It is a time when the packs of wolves take the opportunity to hunt because their senses adapt better in the dark of night. It is for this reason that this full moon is called Luna de Lobo. Although it is also called the Ice Moon in the northern hemisphere.
According to Popular Science, it is known in this way because it refers to “the hungry packs of wolves that lurk in the winter months.” In addition to the fact that the original peoples of the United States saw these attitudes in animals year after year.
However, this moon may eclipse the meteor shower that normally occurs the first week of every month.
When and how to see this event?
The full moon will reach its highest point on January 7 at 17:48 (GMT-6). It is just after appearing in the east between the constellations of Cancer and Gemini. Depending on the weather, it may be possible to see the moon sweep across the night sky until it disappears in the west just before sunrise. Although the best time to see it is when it is closest to the horizon, because as we said, the moon is currently at its furthest point from the earth.