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Wolf Moon Eats Mars: When To See 2025’s First Full Moon Rise And Eclipse The Red Planet
Jamie Carter
Senior Contributor
Jamie Carter is an award-winning reporter who covers the night sky.
Jan 9, 2025,06:00am EST
The first full moon of winter and 2025 — the Wolf Moon — will rise on Monday, but light up early evening skies on Tuesday as it rises in the east during dusk. As it does, it will be draped in delicate hues of oranges, yellows and even pinks as it emerges from beneath the eastern horizon.
Named the Wolf Moon — but also the Old Moon, Ice Moon and Snow Moon, January’s full moon will occur in the constellation of Gemini.
Here’s everything you need to know about it, including exactly when, where and how to see it at its best from where you are:
When Is The Wolf Moon?
The Wolf Moon will turn full at 5:28 p.m. EST on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, but the best time to watch it rise will be moonrise where you are on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Best Time To See The Full Wolf Moon
A full moon looks best when it appears on the eastern horizon just after the sun has set in the west. It will look more prominent than usual and be a beautiful, muted orange. The best time to view it will be a few minutes after the moonrise, the exact time of which will depend on your location.
This month, there's a substantial time between sunset and moonrise in North America, with Europe getting a better view of a rising full moon.
Tuesday, Jan. 14:
In New York, sunset will be at 4:52 p.m. EST, and moonrise will be at 5:40 p.m. EST.
In Los Angeles, sunset will be at 5:05 p.m. PST, and moonrise will be at 6:04 p.m. PST.
In London, sunset is at 4:19 p.m. GMT and moonrise is at 4:44 p.m. GMT.
How To See The Full Wolf Moon
Get somewhere high up that faces east, or visit an east-facing coast, both of which will give you a clear view of the horizon—and the best views of the Wolf Moon, clear skies allowing. Unaided eyes are perfect, though a pair of binoculars will give you a stunning close-up.
When To See The Wolf Moon Occult Mars
Although the rising of the Wolf Moon will be best seen during dusk on Tuesday, Jan. 14, the previous night will see a near-full moon occult Mars. That will occur high in the sky and be visible across North America, with the action happening between 8:44 p.m. EST on Monday, Jan. 13 and ending at 00:52 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Where you are will determine what you see and when, with the event — Mars disappearing (ingress) and then appearing again (egress) — taking place for just over an hour. In-the-sky.org has a helpful map to help you plan.
Why The Wolf Moon Will Hang High
January 2025's full moon is the highest-hanging full moon of this year in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s because the moon mirrors the sun’s path across the sky, and a full moon is, by definition, opposite the sun. Since the sun is at its lowest in the sky during the winter solstice in late December, the full moon that occurs closest to it must be the highest. The Wolf Moon will also be in the night sky for longer than any other full moon of the year.
When Is The Next Full Moon?
The next full moon after the Wolf Moon will be the full Snow Moon at 5:41 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 — the second full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.