Tonight, Mars will closely approach the ‘Wolf Moon’ for a stunning celestial event
London: Tonight’s the night! Mars is set to have a close encounter with the Moon. As the ‘Wolf Moon’ lights up the sky, Mars will glide near it in the early hours of Tuesday.
Stargazers are hoping for clear skies to catch this cosmic show. If you step outside around 7:30 PM UK time, you’ll see the full Moon rising in the East, peaking at 10:26 PM.
Look just below and to the left of the Moon, and you’ll spot Mars, which will appear as a bright red star. They’ll get even closer before Mars skims the Moon’s edge early Tuesday morning.
For those in the US or West Africa, you can see Mars disappear behind the Moon at 8:44 PM EST. It’ll be a cool sight, but sadly, folks in the UK won’t see the full eclipse due to alignment issues.
However, you can still enjoy the view of Mars and the Moon close together in the sky. From London, you should catch Mars skimming the Moon around 4 AM on January 14.
This month is special for Mars as it reaches opposition, making it shine brighter than it has in over two years. It’ll be at its best for viewing on January 16 at 3 AM UK time.
So, if you’re not up for the late-night wait, the full Moon will be visible from around 7:30 PM. A full Moon happens when the side facing Earth is fully lit by the Sun, creating a beautiful sight.
The term ‘Wolf Moon’ comes from North American Indigenous nations, who noted wolves howling during the long winter nights. So, grab a blanket, head outside, and enjoy the show!
