This year’s first full moon is called the Wolf Moon, named after howling wolves, and it is happening on Thursday night.
The full moons that
happen through the year are sometimes given names like “Wolf Moon,” based on
the months and seasons they happen during. The Wolf moon has Celtic and Old
English origin and refers to how wolves are active during the early parts of
the year, according to Time and Date. There are also other Celtic names for
this full moon, including Stay Home Moon and Quiet Moon. In some Native
American cultures, it is also called Severe Moon or Center Moon.
“Howling and other wolf
vocalizations are heard in the wintertime to locate pack members, reinforce
social bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunting,” says the Farmer’s
Almanac, which popularized the many names given to particular full moons over
the year.
The Wolf Moon will rise
at 5.26 PM IST on Thursday, January 25, meaning that it will be visible at
least as soon as the sun sets, according to In the Sky. If
you are in New Delhi, that will happen around 5.54 PM. Meanwhile, the moon will
set at around 7.45 AM, which is a little after the sun rises.
The full moon on
Thursday will be one of the few astronomy events during this season as there
won’t be many meteor showers, planetary alignments or other interesting events
until winter ends, according to USA Today.