Stargazers are in for a treat tonight (January 28) with the very first Full of the year. Traditionally known as the Full Wolf Moon, January’s Full Moon arrives in the dead of winter when astronomy enthusiasts might prefer to stay indoors. But the good news is you can watch the Full Moon tonight without leaving the warmth of your home.
The Wolf Moon will peak tonight at about 7.16pm GMT when the Sun and Moon align at 180 degrees.
Astronomically speaking, this alignment is very brief but to the naked eye, the Moon appears full for about three days centred on the peak.
A Full Moon arrives every 29.5 days, which is the time it takes the Moon to go from one New Moon to the next.
During the lunar cycle, the Moon goes through the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter and Waning Crescent stage.
READ MORE: SpaceX Starship launch LIVE stream: Watch SN9 launch this week
How to watch the Wolf Moon live online tonight:
You can watch the Full Moon rise over the picturesque skyline of Rome here on Express.co.uk, courtesy of The Virtual Telescope Project.
Gianluca Masi, astrophysicist and the Virtual Telescope’s founder, will share online a free broadcast of the lunar spectacle.
The stream will kick off at about 3.45pm GMT and will be hosted on YouTube.
Simply hit play on your desktop or mobile device on the embedded video player above.
Dr Masi believes this will be an unforgettable experience for all who tune in.
He said: “Named this way by the Algonquin tribes, this is the first Full Moon of the year and the Virtual Telescope will share with the community worldwide its spectacular view at rise, above the local horizon in Rome.
“To join our free, live webcast, you just need a computer/tablet/smartphone and an internet connection.
“We will admire our satellite rising at sunset from Rome, the Eternal City.
“It will be an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the Full Wolf Moon 2021 with us!”
What is the meaning behind the Wolf Moon’s name?
The Moon’s unusual name is believed to originate in the time-keeping traditions of Native American tribes.
According to American folklore, the Moon was named after hungry wolves howling during the cold winter nights when food is scarce.
Similarly, November’s Full Moon is named the Beaver Moon because the animal would prepare for winter at that time of the year.
And the Strawberry Moon in June would signal the time was approaching to pick wild strawberries.
As such, all of the Moon’s 12 names reflect seasonal changes in the landscape and wildlife.
January’s Full Moon is also known as the Ice Moon, the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule.
Here are all of the Full Moons this year:
January 28 – Wolf Moon
February 27 – Snow Moon
March 28 – Worm Moon
April 26 – Pink Moon
May 26 – Flower Moon
June 24 – Strawberry Moon
July 23 – Buck Moon
August 22 – Sturgeon Moon
September 20 – Corn Moon
October 20 – Harvest Moon
November 19 – Beaver Moon
December 18 – Cold Moon