The first full moon of the year is set to illuminate the night sky soon.

Prepare to enjoy the “wolf” moon, named after the sounds of wolves during the chilly winter nights when they are often heard howling.

This article covers all you need to know about the full wolf moon, including its origins and the best times to catch a glimpse of it.

The Origin of the Name “Wolf Moon”

The first full moon of the year is commonly referred to as the “wolf moon” because the howls of wolves were more frequently reported in wintertime, as noted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

This name was likely introduced to North America by European settlers; however, it may not be entirely accurate.

Though wolves do howl, studies suggest they are not howling at the moon, nor is there any proof that the moon’s phases influence their vocalizations. They’re simply more active at night as nocturnal creatures.

Additionally, contrary to popular belief, wolves are not howling out of hunger.

“Howling, along with other vocalizations, mainly occurs in winter to help locate pack members, strengthen social bonds, mark territory, and organize hunts,” states the almanac.

Viewing the Full Wolf Moon: When and How

A moon is considered “full” when it is directly opposite the sun in relation to the Earth, causing the sun’s rays to fully illuminate its surface.

The full wolf moon will reach its peak brightness on Monday, January 13 at 5:27 p.m. EST.

Additionally, the moon will appear exceptionally bright for approximately three days around its peak, from Sunday evening to Wednesday morning.

According to NASA, the full moon in January will rise above the eastern horizon at sunset. By midnight, the bright, round wolf moon will be positioned overhead, disappearing into the western horizon by sunrise.

On the night of the full moon, it will also move in front of Mars, which will be visible to most areas across the continental United States, according to NASA.

Upcoming Full Moon Dates

The next full moon is set to occur in February.

On Wednesday, February 12, the snow moon will be observable, as reported by Astronomy.com.